tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14825156911955447532024-02-21T10:41:09.753-08:00Campus HappeningsReynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comBlogger639125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-91257469318218679152022-11-03T11:16:00.000-07:002022-11-03T11:16:12.082-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Employee Profile<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Beno Rubin, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mdI-lUovYXSKu95yJj0J_l9BlzVj74wejGY-62cTqF71uMObEw1PBRsG-rWjNg1vRgiDaltbhrNynFLlEDkpAI1TAh8rpwC7_5DcnMJTND4GF4iCg4taVKvUu0YAhegFmUlqpN6RF8U5USItag432zfpYvUCIcsbrWfcJ1S47z-fEpCYwsXydGbFyA/s4032/Beno%20Rubin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mdI-lUovYXSKu95yJj0J_l9BlzVj74wejGY-62cTqF71uMObEw1PBRsG-rWjNg1vRgiDaltbhrNynFLlEDkpAI1TAh8rpwC7_5DcnMJTND4GF4iCg4taVKvUu0YAhegFmUlqpN6RF8U5USItag432zfpYvUCIcsbrWfcJ1S47z-fEpCYwsXydGbFyA/s320/Beno%20Rubin.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and what was it like?</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in New York City and attended NYC public schools. Living there provided me the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures and people from many different backgrounds. I enjoyed my time there and had many positive experiences.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was the Pathway Dean of Manufacturing and Transportation at Tidewater Community College.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What attracted you to a career in education?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I had graduated from community college and was able to secure employment through my program. While I was employed I had the opportunity to mentor new employees and enjoyed the experience of sharing my knowledge with others.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is the most challenging aspect of your work? The most rewarding?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most challenging aspect of my work is the quickly changing priorities, but that is part of what keeps me engaged.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that what I do will have a direct, positive impact on our students.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite quote or saying?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” – Albert Einstein</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like to do when not working?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Spending time with family, cooking, and travelling.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series, and why?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>During the pandemic I found various videos on how to be a better cook. I still enjoy watching the various YouTube cooking channels.</i></span><i style="font-family: verdana;"> </i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million dollars in the lottery, what would you do with the money?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I would like to start a scholarship for students at the college with some of the funds. As for the remainder, I will have to get back to you on that.</i></span></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-17835542615710394542022-10-31T08:18:00.002-07:002022-10-31T08:18:33.793-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keyirra Fuell<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds Grad Spring 2022</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4TrFTpRnXLmoxGpLFQywteZh_QJV7KaYzxn_hJL82DElbExvX-MOlw51-x2wufofPYEayywry5o22DFJhGrlBIPXACZ_HUoZ-WXjeXuaxAI8CQd2ImKA6QslOfjIfOsfC2dCK2KgTE4QwC7M9H534qEJOR-zYBW0Ajl2LwxUBWM5TaFZRYZo0mxAxA/s2400/FuellKeyirra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4TrFTpRnXLmoxGpLFQywteZh_QJV7KaYzxn_hJL82DElbExvX-MOlw51-x2wufofPYEayywry5o22DFJhGrlBIPXACZ_HUoZ-WXjeXuaxAI8CQd2ImKA6QslOfjIfOsfC2dCK2KgTE4QwC7M9H534qEJOR-zYBW0Ajl2LwxUBWM5TaFZRYZo0mxAxA/s320/FuellKeyirra.jpg" width="144" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Five children. Life problems. Covid twice. Still Keyirra made it to her finish line and received her Associates Degree in Opticianry. She credits the "wonderful team of professors in the opticianry program . . . especially Ms. Leah Exline," for supporting and motivating her all the way through.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's what Keyirra says about her experience: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm a proud mother of five beautiful children. I enjoy helping
others and meeting new people, that's why I wanted a rewarding career in
some sort of nursing field or something like that. I started off in the dental
assistant program then changed my major to Optician, for one because it offered a degree
instead of a certificate and it just seemed like a better fit for me than
dealing with teeth, and it's also kind of like nursing but not as rough. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">As an optician I get
to help people see better versus teeth and sickly patients so it's like best of
both worlds and a very rewarding experience at work and college. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I'm
very proud to have finished this program because I have started and stopped
several times other times in my life and even this program I stopped a few
semesters in-between because of life problems, but I am so glad that I got through it with the five kids and normal life problems, boyfriend drama, covid twice, and just feeling overwhelmed with it all together. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I want to thank the wonderful team of professors
in the optician program for motivational support and staying on me to finish
especially Ms. Leah Exline. I appreciate them all and am thankful for the
experience and kind people at Reynolds. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><o:p></o:p></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-43901152735317549342022-10-25T11:16:00.000-07:002022-10-25T11:16:53.957-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Khizer Hayat<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Accounting Manager/Financial Operations</span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXi7Q66yXwOvUOtT4CejGfTOixf2m8BjV0GYJ1Yrjr5HJZgcy4GRHIom1gXOd9TYT2SBGX-uQerNSyDRh1OjxxDhHbcBTIIDt9eQ2oPRCJDCp13g_5oeujaCa4BhIL3v_aGrImkwhZG1_8eR8ydtBuEzcoWCCWjhYQwklAMV3E8gPOMTL3LSkQIUzpg/s4032/KhizerHayat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXi7Q66yXwOvUOtT4CejGfTOixf2m8BjV0GYJ1Yrjr5HJZgcy4GRHIom1gXOd9TYT2SBGX-uQerNSyDRh1OjxxDhHbcBTIIDt9eQ2oPRCJDCp13g_5oeujaCa4BhIL3v_aGrImkwhZG1_8eR8ydtBuEzcoWCCWjhYQwklAMV3E8gPOMTL3LSkQIUzpg/s320/KhizerHayat.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you live while growing up and what was it like?</b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in Pakistan and enjoyed my childhood as much as one could. My father had a nice government job. I had friends to go out, servants available 24/7, big house to play, had pets including dogs, ducks, cows, cats, buffaloes, monkeys, chickens, talking parrots, rabbits, pigeons. It was like a mini zoo on one side of house. I miss playing in the rain for hours and making paper boats.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>You speak six languages – Persian, Farsi, Dari, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi. How did you come to learn so many languages? How do you retain all those language now? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Most of these I learnt because of my duty stations. Others I speak at home. I have friends whom I talk in these languages.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You started your position with Reynolds on September 26. What were you doing before you came to the college? </b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was working as Staff Accountant in New York.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>How did you get started in your career in finance? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I started it by choice. I was motivated by one of my uncles in my family.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite aspect of your job?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Sense of belonging to a professional organization and good people around me. When I wake up in morning I have feeling that I am going to spend next 8-9 hours with good people.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like to do when you aren’t working? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I have self-development goals. When I am not working I prepare for CIA exam and love to spend time with my family.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV series? Why is it your favorite? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Most of times I am studying my course books for self-development. I like watching Hindi movies and listening to Urdu, Hindu and Dari songs.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I will start my own business, sponsor education and skills programs for people of any age, pay for surgery of young girls who became victim of acid attacks in third world countries, start a housing program for homeless, buy the house I lived in my childhood. </i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-61140355939002109472022-10-10T12:57:00.001-07:002022-10-10T12:57:38.284-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Employee Profile:</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Carlos Savory / Welding Instructor</span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(pictured center with his welding students)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hk79Qk1hd_z-6qHIy4jFXB2Yd-pMmEa7PvUH2167OoLPEvdIkTPcU5CLQoK6y8-DXsArduoSc0o05eda-1WaIcWZFncqP6tDK6zb8-QIUilJTPTujb1hNudkazdkbIrxfYDcCEGN5KxcLwXggL-LdRHB18p2XjTBfvs_D3FfBQrOVUCFOGUS_UMqRw/s4032/CarlosSavorywithclass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hk79Qk1hd_z-6qHIy4jFXB2Yd-pMmEa7PvUH2167OoLPEvdIkTPcU5CLQoK6y8-DXsArduoSc0o05eda-1WaIcWZFncqP6tDK6zb8-QIUilJTPTujb1hNudkazdkbIrxfYDcCEGN5KxcLwXggL-LdRHB18p2XjTBfvs_D3FfBQrOVUCFOGUS_UMqRw/s320/CarlosSavorywithclass.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and what was it like? </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My hometown is Williamsburg, Virginia. It's a small town with great people and a wonderful place to grow up. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Before I came to Reynolds, I was working in the welding industry at a company called Custom Ornamental Iron where I was a fabricator/welder. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What got you interested in welding, and in teaching for Reynolds? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Originally it was a football teammate in high school that told me about welding and the tech program that was offered at my school. After the first day of welding I was hooked. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I found out about the teaching position at Reynolds in 2020 during the pandemic. Welding instructor jobs are usually rare and hard to find so I took the opportunity and I have enjoyed teaching ever since. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is the most rewarding part of your work? The most challenging? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I would say the most rewarding part is taking a student that is having a tough time welding in the lab and finding different ways to teach them that works for them. It is very rewarding to finally see the smile on their face once they have made an excellent weld. The most challenging are the work hours. During the day I teach welding at a local high school. At night I teach at Reynolds. Long hours, but very rewarding work. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite movie, TV series, or book? And, why? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My favorite movie would have to be Jurassic Park. I have always loved dinosaurs as a kid and that has never changed. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I can’t really say I have a favorite TV series. I am often too busy to sit and watch TV, but I do enjoy looking at random videos on YouTube. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My favorite book is called “All Blood Runs Red” by Phil Keith. It’s a true story about a man name Eugene that escapes oppression in American during the 1900’s and becomes the first African American fighter pilot during World War 1. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What are your hobbies, or interests outside of work? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my family. </i></span><i style="font-family: verdana;"> </i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I wouldn’t do anything exciting with it. I would save most of it, invest some of it into the stock market and buy investment properties, possibly start a construction company. I would mainly use it to ensure a good future for generations to come. </i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-49036940154759610102022-09-30T09:37:00.000-07:002022-09-30T09:37:47.455-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rhonda Crosby<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scholarship Manager</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy8vyRXDEOqXEp8ej2dZJ_Wok0JhPiRgqHrJBYNhIW4SXZWXQS3aPq3JJ9uZglFgbn2l_zWNa7Vp8O1vS-uCwWB8VUh3GODauaYmSl0R9AK16KqTnf5aA5S1NcsHUuuvdJf93-WJHeFs5apNjupuYGxQapmdCvDs-R0guj9iYxpmA7jQffLPa1FvwFQ/s2944/rhondacrosby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy8vyRXDEOqXEp8ej2dZJ_Wok0JhPiRgqHrJBYNhIW4SXZWXQS3aPq3JJ9uZglFgbn2l_zWNa7Vp8O1vS-uCwWB8VUh3GODauaYmSl0R9AK16KqTnf5aA5S1NcsHUuuvdJf93-WJHeFs5apNjupuYGxQapmdCvDs-R0guj9iYxpmA7jQffLPa1FvwFQ/s320/rhondacrosby.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and what was it like?</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was born in Hampton, VA, but lived most of my school years in Newport News and York County area. I was in the band and played softball so busy but simple. We had, and still have, a lot of family gatherings and events, so very family orientated.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was unemployed from a layoff in February 2020 which I was fortunate to be home during the start of the pandemic to be home with my son for virtual school. Then I started a part time job when my son went to school at Henrico Recreation and Parks.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What got you interested in working with Scholarships and students?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The stability. To work for a college where I saw as a big need in a community. I wanted to be able to reach out to students and this was a start by helping them achieve their goals and dreams.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is the most challenging part of your work? The most rewarding?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most challenging part is not knowing every answer to every solution. The most rewarding part is Giving Away Money!!!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show? Why?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Sooo I am not a reader, but I do love all of the Rocky movies (up to Rocky V) and Beverly Hills Cop III, Big Brother and The First 48. Why? The acting for the movies and famous lines. Big Brother seeing the reality of different types of people living together and how they interact. Crime because it shows real time events of how people are caught and seeing the families’ emotions and heartbreak which reminds me to not take life for granted.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite restaurant?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I really do not have one or go out that often to choose.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million dollars in the lottery, what would you do with the money?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>THANK GOD!!! Pay off parents’ and my debts and buy them a new vehicle. Save for college for my son and grandkids. Buy a large piece of property to live peacefully.</i></span></p><p><br /></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-14098838718913156942022-09-06T13:53:00.000-07:002022-09-06T13:53:33.131-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Student Profile: David Tepper</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt6OgFQtwe5ynp0QBLpY1YoVjBDSs_nUv_x5ipJl4rhyLUEGKrCV637DzIBKTn8CYcpLUl3doMCmo1clpKMx3H9p4D6LpI_yLPBWLcChd44phv-BPmItbbGGINiWgdH9HjwCwmIspEH3PCNabQg1NWaXBCPdcuMqRJblp-K44gPeONaxYj50zF1ZN-w/s2048/David%20Tepper.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt6OgFQtwe5ynp0QBLpY1YoVjBDSs_nUv_x5ipJl4rhyLUEGKrCV637DzIBKTn8CYcpLUl3doMCmo1clpKMx3H9p4D6LpI_yLPBWLcChd44phv-BPmItbbGGINiWgdH9HjwCwmIspEH3PCNabQg1NWaXBCPdcuMqRJblp-K44gPeONaxYj50zF1ZN-w/s320/David%20Tepper.jpg" width="220" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If David Tepper was planning to be an astronaut, he would surely be headed to the moon. But this Reynolds 2022 grad is tracking a different trajectory: After graduation David was accepted at both UVA and W&M. UVA offered him a full ride, and he didn’t hesitate to get onboard. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I’m currently attending UVA as a 3rd year,” David wrote, “I just finished their summer language institute for German so knocked out my language requirement, it was four semesters worth of German language and material in a total of 8 weeks. I am a dual Biology and Neuroscience major, and will be continuing on to graduate school after this, the goal is to earn my PhD. And I’m currently in the works for a research position here at UVA with a genetics professor studying Stem Cells.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">David started at Reynolds in 2017, and four years later in 2022 he earned his Associates of Science with a Science Specialization, and a concentration in Biology, and his Associates of Math and Science Teacher Preparation, again with a concentration in Biology.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">David extends special thanks to Dr. Bryan Rhodes, Dr. Peter Latartara, Dr. Groover, Professor Swanlund, and Professor Weaver, and of course Daniel from Math Central, for all their amazing expertise, mentorship, and during his time at Reynolds. "I wouldn’t be here without any of them," he says.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is David’s story in his own words. It might be longer than the usual profile, and you might be tempted to brush it aside, but this one is well worth the read. You can choose.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We all come from hundreds of different backgrounds, different cultures, places, demographics, ages, and mental states. A great friend I made at Reynolds was from Egypt, and was in college early. Another friend was from Ethiopia and following the “traditional” college timeline. Another was an AP student, graduated high school early, and only needed a year of Reynolds to complete her associates and move on. Another was in his late 20’s and was post military. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I myself? I would be considered a “non-traditional” college student. Is that a bad thing? No! It means I didn’t go to college immediately after high school, so I’m a little older. And that’s going to fit the mold of many, many people! High School was an interesting time for me. I had heart surgery, my father passed away, I had to deal with moving from my childhood home, and a surgery my senior year that didn’t go as planned and left me in the ICU for a week. Needless to say, I needed a break! So I took two years off between high school and college. I needed to grow, mature, find my place, earn some money, help my family, and just take time for myself. And boy am I glad I did it! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seriously! If it wasn’t for taking that time, I honestly don’t know where I’d be. When I graduated high school I wanted a theatre degree, and wanted nothing more than to be on a stage. And although there is nothing wrong with that path, I’m much happier now than I was, and am in a better place academically! I worked retail, sales, early education, was a camp counselor, and worked in veterinary medicine. I got A LOT of experience, and it really helped me recognize who I was, and what I wanted. Plus earning a credit score of 800, and being debt free wasn’t bad either! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then I got accepted to both UVA and W&M, two schools my 2.3 GPA high school self would never have dreamed of going to, and have Reynolds, and it’s amazing professors, to thank for that! I am now on my way to earning a bachelors in Biology, and Biochemistry, and furthering my journey to my doctorate! “The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step,” has never wrung more true to me. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I always doubted myself, and my abilities. And starting out at Reynolds, I kept second guessing if I was even the right person to be in STEM. I mean, I can’t do math! At least so I thought. When I started at Reynolds I had to take MTE 6-9 just to prepare myself for the pre-calculus requirement. I was so embarrassed to say that around my STEM friends who were already in Calculus 1. I had a panic attack and dropped out of the first pre-calculus class I took, after the first day too… But I then found the confidence to do it the following semester, thanks to my amazing academic advisor, and those friends I was so embarrassed to be open with. And you know what, I got an A+! The kid who failed high school Algebra, got an A+ in pre-calculus! What!? Then I moved onto Calculus… and failed… in my defense I got injured and missed A LOT of classes. But did I quit? No! I took it again the following semester and BOOM! A+ again, and even helped four of my classmates study and get A’s and B’s. Crazy right? I was now the friends I looked up to but for new friends, with the same insecurities I had. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> So, why did it take me so long to graduate from community college? Four years is double the time it should take right? Well, yes. The “ideal” path is two years to earn your associates degree. But if there is one thing I’ve learned, life isn’t about being ideal, it’s about being adaptive and flexible. So, was it because I added a second degree? No. I added the second degree because I wanted to, and it only involved taking two extra courses to do so. The reason is during my time, I got injured, had medical issues, and had to work full time to support myself. All these things slowed me down, or put a complete halt on my journey. But I keep reminding myself of what a physics professor at Reynolds told me, “It’s not about passing the class, or earning the degree. It’s about learning something. It’s about growing.” </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> So did it take me a while to get from high school graduation to community college graduation? Yes. Will that mean I’m older than all my high school friends who are already working, or in their grad schools? Yes. Is that ok? Yes! Life is going to be different for every single person who walks the halls of Reynolds, and every other college around the world. Never feel insecure about who you are, where you are, because no one is a one to one. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Be confident. You can, and will, make it in whatever program you strive for, just plan, and be strategic. Be strong. There will be difficult classes, and hard times, but you can pull through and succeed. Every Nobel Prize winner, inventor, doctor, scientist, and more, have been where you are. What separates you and them is nothing more than the time spent studying, but this time you have the advantage. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I want you to have the same critical advice now that I gained from professors during my time at Reynolds:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Too many people focus to much on passing, and to little on learning. If students would just focus on studying, and less on what they need to pass with the grade they want, they’d naturally get the grades they’re looking for.” </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “Understand every word. Don’t just read. Don’t just take notes. Understand what is being said. Rewrite in your words, not the words already written.”</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “Everyone has a sucky first draft. The first draft isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to get ideas on paper.”</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Just breathe. One bad grad isn’t the end of the world. Even surgeons have gotten F’s in the past. Just breathe.”</span></p></blockquote><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-24596253534716918862022-08-31T11:47:00.000-07:002022-08-31T11:47:50.772-07:00<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Employee Profile: Benjamin Cowman<br /></i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Director of Student Life</i></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aTs0XNYBCbkXCY9IoJGvRh4cZGFhlXpUepuMyrdx2yuEgPso_3GwgPHtAOWKaLBtwyKEOk2uw3m22sMXmRtOW6Jp3NL1nf3Cz9jQRI18yv00TuZIaVpRhA3ACcxwsyULTJ9-n9NoBp9wj1t_6KyDAEaoMpQlGDqbG8-LtdOSQHYGWsXtldFK1sJnUA/s3016/BenCowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3016" data-original-width="2011" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aTs0XNYBCbkXCY9IoJGvRh4cZGFhlXpUepuMyrdx2yuEgPso_3GwgPHtAOWKaLBtwyKEOk2uw3m22sMXmRtOW6Jp3NL1nf3Cz9jQRI18yv00TuZIaVpRhA3ACcxwsyULTJ9-n9NoBp9wj1t_6KyDAEaoMpQlGDqbG8-LtdOSQHYGWsXtldFK1sJnUA/s320/BenCowman.jpg" width="213" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up, and what was it like?</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in Carroll County, Maryland just about an hour outside of Baltimore. Growing up I enjoyed the outdoors/camping and spending time with family. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Tell us about your background. What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Before coming to Reynolds, I worked at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. I oversaw our student and family orientation, peer mentors, and the first year experience. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>How did you get started working in the area of Student Life and Leadership?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My path into this field was a result of my own college experience and involvement. I served in student government as an undergraduate, and became passionate about helping others make a difference and develop their own leadership potential.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like most about working with students? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I most enjoy being able to see students’ growth, and see how the programs/activities we offer have an positive impact on their lives. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>What is the most challenging aspect of your work?</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most challenging aspect of the work is finding new ways to engage students who already juggling other priorities outside of class. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am a Game of Thrones fan, and so I’m excited to the newly released House of Dragons series.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite food or restaurant in Richmond?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My favorite RVA restaurant is the Can Can in Carytown. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery what would you do with your money?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I would pay off debt, travel the world, and give back to organizations trying to solve the world’s toughest problems (i.e., poverty, climate change). </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-45778918311328243392022-08-18T14:11:00.001-07:002022-08-23T05:05:24.642-07:00The Push was Worth It - Student Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">The push was worth it.</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAWYXouM9rP1C9GtCwT6YbsmmJyvfkKMsgPkYLkanFIOX_usb9uqXiKXVbNN5J6uJD72EQXGmdOQu9dKvbqS4tTSmmXOW7FqV3nHkEWUqlILFE3g8sROkM6kC83_PAoaHo_-H47n0qMvP8hvjS0c88UbfmtnK71iHIz-FveAYGX8UsQ2fR2wNgx6U3w/s1438/Screenshot_20220516-045235_FaceApp.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAWYXouM9rP1C9GtCwT6YbsmmJyvfkKMsgPkYLkanFIOX_usb9uqXiKXVbNN5J6uJD72EQXGmdOQu9dKvbqS4tTSmmXOW7FqV3nHkEWUqlILFE3g8sROkM6kC83_PAoaHo_-H47n0qMvP8hvjS0c88UbfmtnK71iHIz-FveAYGX8UsQ2fR2wNgx6U3w/s320/Screenshot_20220516-045235_FaceApp.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I asked the spring 2022 graduates to tell me about
their time at Reynolds, Tia Smith responded immediately and sent photos. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’d never met Tia, but I recognized her from the Commencement slideshow. She
was the graduate with the widest, brightest smile. She was beaming. After
reading her story I understood why she was smiling and why the
Subject line in her email was: The push was worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Virtually every student I profile is confronted with issues
- some issues linger from their past, other issues jockey to control their present
– all entangle their hearts and minds and have the potential to dim their
vision of their future. I am always struck by the tenacity of their journeys. Tia
was no exception. Here is her story in her own words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My
name is Tyquila "Tia" Smith and my journey started back in 2009. I
overcame so much from having to go to Philadelphia when my mother needed an emergency surgery, to giving birth to our first son in 2012 and having to take off
to raise him, to finally making the decision to keep going even when, at the beginning
of the semester two aunts passed from cancer three weeks apart. I was being my
father's caretaker. Then I found out I was pregnant again after 10 years since
our first son in 2012. I had to deal with changes with our baby girl having
struggles, to even being on bed rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That’s
why the message is meaningful: "This push was worth it". <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My
professor Dr. James Wolfe was a big help and motivated me to keep pushing when
I wanted to give up. He offered to extend my assignments to help me finish
while I went in delivery on April 16, 2022 just before my graduation. For three
days pre labor to active labor to dealing with anxiety during labor and so much
more. I feel I can write a book on child birth, lol. I’m now a mother of five
beautiful children. And, I FINALLY FINISHED WHAT I STARTED BACK IN 2009. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds
professors were so understanding throughout my journey and gave me a family
friendly atmosphere. They’re always motivating their students. It's not how you
started but how you endure to finish in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
want to thank every professor at Reynolds for always being there for their
students and going the extra mile to help. My experiences at Reynolds Community
College I shall never forget. Reynolds definitely has a community atmosphere for
all to attend. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
will continue my studies in Business Administration at a four year
college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking to attend in spring
of 2023 until my newborn gets up in age. Going all the way!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On
to the next adventure to bachelor adventure to Master the journey. -Tia Smith<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3rW9EdYe2yF5qxR6qc4rVSSZxr900cowZFbY5tsbVMfaQQV14e2M05t8qNZvfuTb6eNbmAG-IqHVx_rCK-TH61vd186Acj0ckDTx-cErqJzG4cwiDipo6NvgYf3bxZGZ4EtEry_dCIKrAQF56SE2slfY9P5zyCnUtcEjECA-Jen7V_aZiGhG9WHKmg/s1080/IMG_20220518_215445_505.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3rW9EdYe2yF5qxR6qc4rVSSZxr900cowZFbY5tsbVMfaQQV14e2M05t8qNZvfuTb6eNbmAG-IqHVx_rCK-TH61vd186Acj0ckDTx-cErqJzG4cwiDipo6NvgYf3bxZGZ4EtEry_dCIKrAQF56SE2slfY9P5zyCnUtcEjECA-Jen7V_aZiGhG9WHKmg/s320/IMG_20220518_215445_505.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you, Tia, for sharing your story. The very best of
wishes for you as you continue your journey.</span><o:p></o:p><p></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-52290468495473789392022-06-29T08:31:00.000-07:002022-06-29T08:31:08.202-07:00Student Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Marcus Taylor Before and After Reynolds</span></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMlRqo39p-vC1bJIB6rk1WsTDIvCKMqVp1bOKGMtvKKcbCahrl4hOgjtW7DTVMSA5GJwB4FKpV4wqoh__sXw9nCQY8Z4Ez20oYzNsbHjmXWrv0dWJBJZDSUbQVugJPBZO8_J9y0cTaAA-9klfQ1-VREAvUyxmhYrXC8INWkXb5vzHRQctt7pWd_2LMg/s1100/marcuscomposite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1100" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMlRqo39p-vC1bJIB6rk1WsTDIvCKMqVp1bOKGMtvKKcbCahrl4hOgjtW7DTVMSA5GJwB4FKpV4wqoh__sXw9nCQY8Z4Ez20oYzNsbHjmXWrv0dWJBJZDSUbQVugJPBZO8_J9y0cTaAA-9klfQ1-VREAvUyxmhYrXC8INWkXb5vzHRQctt7pWd_2LMg/w526-h171/marcuscomposite.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I met Marcus Taylor in late October 2019 when he was just beginning his educational journey at Reynolds. During our interview he told me: “I have thrived in the Reynolds atmosphere of small classes. I am truly grateful to have been given the space to explore my talents and interests. I tell others, if you want to go to college, and you want to work, there are opportunities right here at your fingertips. If you can afford those expensive gym shoes, you can afford to go to college.” <a href="https://jsrevents.blogspot.com/search?q=Marcus+Taylor" target="_blank"><i><b>(Read the original blog story here.)</b></i></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Marcus was, and is, an impressively hard working individual. He’s a veteran who’s been to war, he’s had several careers, he’s worked long hours, and he’s struggled to make a living. As an adult student he was well acquainted with tough assignments. “You can’t whine and complain that the work is too hard,” he told me back in 2019, “you’ve just got to dig in and do it, you’ve got to do the hard stuff . . . I chuckle when they [young students] huff and puff about getting a tough homework assignment. Paying bills, and fighting for your life, now THOSE are tough assignments.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three years and a global pandemic later, Marcus graduated from Reynolds in the spring of 2022 with his degree in Construction Management. I had the great pleasure of interviewing Marcus again shortly after commencement. We talked about graduation, his upcoming marriage, his Reynolds experience, and what was coming next in his life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Marcus graduated on a Sunday. The very next day, Monday, he started getting job offers from architectural firms. “I don’t know how they knew I had graduated, don’t know who informed them, but it’s good. All good,” he told me, shaking his head as if he was still didn’t believe his good fortune. “My number one offer is from a home builder. I’ve also got some independent offers to do layouts and blueprints.” Given Marcus’s entrepreneurial spirit, an independent offer would be the “kind of suit that fits him just right,” as he would say.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As if a degree wasn’t enough, Marcus has his own line of personal care products, 9th Wonder Premium Products – soaps, body butter, beard products, lotions, shampoos and body wash for men and women - he developed in 2014 when he was a barber. “I didn’t really take it all seriously until some of my clients told me I should take it to the next level.” With Marcus’s slow and steady persistence his line has taken off. Since our last interview, he has established a partnership with a major gym chain and sales are rolling. In addition to clients in Virginia, his products are selling in Texas, Florida, and Georgia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And if he’s not busy enough, Marcus just got married to the girlfriend who has been his supporter, encourager, and his challenger every step of the way. In 2019 she was the one who saw his engineering talent and urged him to come to Reynolds. She is the one who then urged him to speak up in our interview about his life and his experience at Reynolds. Both she and Marcus’s daughter are Reynolds graduates. Marcus’s girlfriend, now wife, has three degrees, his daughter has two. They challenged him to get his first degree, now they are challenging him to keep up with them and to continue his education.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The future?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“My goal,” Marcus says, “is to establish more residual income to buy back my time. We don’t have a lot of time on this earth. I’ve never been one to waste what I’ve been given. I want to use my time to build my dreams. I’ve got a lot of moving parts in my life. That’s the way I want to keep it.” Several years and a pandemic haven’t changed this side of Marcus one bit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What one thing did Reynolds do to keep you motivated and on track to finishing your degree?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Two words: Mr. Bass,” Marcus pauses, “Mr. Bass,” he repeats. “That guy is one of the most helpful, understanding, positive, funny, professional, hardworking people I’ve ever known. He encouraged me. He reached out during covid when things got messy. Classes got cancelled, but he kept reaching out to me, letting me know what was happening. He made our assignments flexible so we could get them done when things weren’t going well. He told me what he saw in me, and he inspired me to find that talent in myself. He was the deciding factor. Without him, I probably would have let it all go.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I remember one time I left my wallet in his class at Parham. He came all the way over to Church Hill on 25th Street to bring it to me while I was working on a construction job. He did not have to do that. Now, THAT’S a great guy.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Advice to other students?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Focus. Focus. And, focus. If you focus, almost anything is possible. If you hit a roadblock, it’s not the end of the road. You’ve gotta focus on your destination instead whatever is trying to stop you. Focus.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three years and a global pandemic? Just small roadblocks. It's all perspective. With Marcus’s focus, as he says, “it’s only blessing, after blessing, after blessing.”</span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-39091606796850932352022-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:002022-06-06T07:24:11.344-07:00Reynolds Joins ATD<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds Community College Joins <br />Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Reynolds Will Advance Educational Equity and Accelerate Community Growth in Partnership with Achieving the Dream</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEYNsk4s-qQHNpquapZBbb7ZbCuB77jUDubjjQnUCTPFLVUHvKzrK3x1zuWGutdswC1WdcuSB8yFbZw-MbdefPekAkcr64vElAqvOdV2rbxlAhDGRlzM-0F-ZbCDt1L-LaW_4fPHMK-qLzr5d8ZmZo7ZjeZBSOUohtoPYuCK9bKyGzLwc7bkZhkEMAA/s2500/Network%20announcement%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="2500" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEYNsk4s-qQHNpquapZBbb7ZbCuB77jUDubjjQnUCTPFLVUHvKzrK3x1zuWGutdswC1WdcuSB8yFbZw-MbdefPekAkcr64vElAqvOdV2rbxlAhDGRlzM-0F-ZbCDt1L-LaW_4fPHMK-qLzr5d8ZmZo7ZjeZBSOUohtoPYuCK9bKyGzLwc7bkZhkEMAA/s320/Network%20announcement%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds is joining the 2022 cohort of Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network to holistically advance equity, access, and student success. By joining the ATD Network, Reynolds is committing to a tailored engagement in whole-college transformation and gaining access to a nationwide network of peer support and expertise.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds is part of a cohort of seven colleges joining the ATD Network during a time of continued enrollment challenges for two-year institutions across the country, when equitable access and community engagement are more important than ever for the students that colleges serve.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Social and economic mobility for our entire region is core to our mission. This is important work we are embarking on with Achieving the Dream. Transformational work with laser focus on increasing both equitable access to and completion of credentials and degrees that lead to great jobs that pay family sustaining wages," says Dr. Paula P. Pando, president of Reynolds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Community colleges, and particularly colleges in the ATD Network, recognize that they serve as engines of opportunity not just for their students, but for the entire communities that they serve,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “ATD’s work is centered on equity, and I am excited to see how the new Network colleges in the 2022 cohort start generating transformational change that lifts up their communities and advances the field.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Teams from each of the seven colleges will convene in Charlotte, NC, from June 14 to 16 for a Kickoff Institute that will set the stage for their partnership with ATD. Representatives from Reynolds will meet with ATD coaches and begin to develop customized action plans based on the college’s strategic direction, It’s a New Day, which was launched in September 2021. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds, alongside the 2022 cohort of new ATD Network colleges, is committed to tackling equity challenges, building a culture of data-informed decision-making, and maximizing the student experience through high-quality teaching and learning. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds is joining the ATD Network alongside six other institutions:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Brookdale Community College (NJ)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Central Carolina Technical College (SC) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Community College of Aurora (CO) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College (PA) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Meridian Community College (MS) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Northwood Technical College (WI) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of more than 300 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing equity gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each college’s institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with nearly 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 45 states and the District of Columbia to reach more than 4 million community college students. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.</span></i> </span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-64274830916507306272022-05-11T11:06:00.000-07:002022-05-11T11:06:38.773-07:00June is Men's Health Month<p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">In honor of Men's Health Month in June Professor of Health Science and Master Advisor Stephen </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sowulewski sent this short piece about his father's health ordeal to be published on Reynolds blog. </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>If you, or a man in your life, is due for a check up, Men's Health Month is a great time to make that appointment!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Stephen:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7W2SCcNHNo-sIMzEbfHiOXW9XoZ2UJIE7m16PBWdNqE7j53qo6XyMawtwcVUQQA7weLhMxdpZOoCGQZTil2EhCI1Do9JAK0tqkLRvKDkxB-xPWcACUT00wziyAjM7L5BoEVYemfBawYjYPJgeMyfk9dM0JLXEPM0-gx647dVgJSWALIMT00uJ-b3eQ/s1692/stephenanddad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1692" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7W2SCcNHNo-sIMzEbfHiOXW9XoZ2UJIE7m16PBWdNqE7j53qo6XyMawtwcVUQQA7weLhMxdpZOoCGQZTil2EhCI1Do9JAK0tqkLRvKDkxB-xPWcACUT00wziyAjM7L5BoEVYemfBawYjYPJgeMyfk9dM0JLXEPM0-gx647dVgJSWALIMT00uJ-b3eQ/s320/stephenanddad.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My research into men’s health issues always has me feeling hopeful around June of each year. Although more work needs to be done on the forefront of men’s health, we are making strides at the Men’s Health Network (MHN) in Washington, DC. I was thrilled to be assigned to MHN for my doctoral externship many years ago and had the opportunity to knock on doors within the halls of congress to help lobby efforts toward opening an official office on men’s health. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rewind to the summer of 2003 and my father’s diagnosis of prostate cancer. He has always been an exceptional listener and never quick to jump in on a conversation but you really know that the “wheels are turning” and he is indeed taking it all in. No matter the diagnosis, my dad went on a quest to learn as much as he could about his diagnosis. As tough as my dad is, I could see the consternation. Seeing him with a catheter bag walking around the house and being vulnerable in that post-surgical timeframe really brought perspective to me with regard to societal standards that men need to ‘suck it up’ and move on. Being a devout catholic and having trust in the Lord as well as his supporters (my mom and I) helped propel my dad through this ordeal. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A recent episode of my favorite show, Blue Bloods has Tom Selleck (NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan) bartering with his father’s physician about not letting his father know of the prostate diagnosis. Well, often our best intentions end up coming apart at the seams. In this case, the ‘Reagan patriarch’ finds out anyway. This episode hits close to home because my friend’s brother did not want his family knowing about the diagnosis and eventual surgery. Not everyone will accept support for things that happen in their life but this episode gave me hope that a person diagnosed with cancer will at least let one person know so they can have that support structure. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The vast majority of men will die <i>with</i> prostate cancer as opposed to dying <i>from</i> it. The end result was a good one for my father — almost 20 years later and he continues to receive a clean bill of health from the urologist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lastly, my dad considers himself a marked man. He had his gallbladder removed a few years prior to his prostate removal and somehow, someway, he bears a scar in the shape of a cross at those exact surgical sites. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I call this his battle scars because he continues to be a wellness warrior!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Stephen Sowulewski</i> </span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-78218389675007213392022-04-14T09:03:00.003-07:002022-04-28T11:46:55.420-07:00Inaugural Spring Fling<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inaugural Spring Fling an Eggstra Special Event</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzKE1G"><b><i>View all the photos and Reynolds Flickr page</i></b></a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG0JHpeN5ql_wS7DpBQ40C-40oy9Abe6z1Q7BkOxCPCs8ZoXoOILUZaHOK_G1MYEzNoihUw-05oaftbj48i6EzRrtE1cM66sQUX4-zv-zez2oqgBb1PfpXTHBLrD5j7AWMa1tcckWa2PoZy8aFKqB3BJ18Uw-NNi0fGSJP3C8OMJTFz8lpNGdBO7TIA/s4032/IMG_0251.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG0JHpeN5ql_wS7DpBQ40C-40oy9Abe6z1Q7BkOxCPCs8ZoXoOILUZaHOK_G1MYEzNoihUw-05oaftbj48i6EzRrtE1cM66sQUX4-zv-zez2oqgBb1PfpXTHBLrD5j7AWMa1tcckWa2PoZy8aFKqB3BJ18Uw-NNi0fGSJP3C8OMJTFz8lpNGdBO7TIA/s320/IMG_0251.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">“This was an amazing event,” Jackie Manley, one of the event’s Planning Committee said, “it was great seeing all the Reynolds family working together bringing joy, laughter, and smiles to those future Reynolds Students. We have gotten a lot of emails from staff, faculty, and students saying how wonderful the day was, but without the hands of everyone involved, we could not have made it possible. Special thanks to everyone. As Mazhar said to me in one of his emails: We Are A Team!”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The favorite attractions were the face painting, the three egg hunts – two for children, and one for the adults – and the special appearance of Flying Squirrels, Nutzy and Nutasha. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lena, the student who won the IPad Air from the raffle, said, “I am amazed at how well everything was put together, and how Reynolds could afford to have all this stuff for free. In difficult times like this it’s hard to bring your children to something like this and have to pay for each child to get their face painted. My grandbabies loved the egg hunts, the face painting, and loved dancing and it was all free.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Special thank yous go to: Mazhar Anik, Margaret Hill, Martha Harper, Maria Clarke; Kim Cain; Melody Hockaday; Shanna Black, Brieanna Dickerson, Kanika Morris, team of student volunteers, Tyree Flowers, Dr. Jeffery Allen, Business Office, Library, Registrar Office, Marketing, Advising Services, Financial Aid, Admissions, ODU online, Anime Club, Scholarship/Foundation Office, Housekeeping/Custodial Team, the Reynolds Police and SGT Talley-Bryant. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Extra special Shout Out’s to: Jackie Manley, Ariel Cole, and Jessica Anderson – The Planning Committee.</span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-63410883646393552532022-03-29T10:56:00.002-07:002022-04-28T11:48:20.628-07:00Employee Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jake Harrison<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Information Technology Specialist III </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UQl9vdUROJRFWe1wDTe318p_aiMbE282lwPrSm2Yy6Gtbi9_9tzWSeTQNpolC8uPcQIzo1Lox8b5lKuyHZS8Bcn1nIFZteGHBldqQAxQgu4C5Wf352ndKSRxNV4QF2k54snmKg7Cru75EHPmnnK8tyFPV1jy0VmIANVeSDwywbncq3851bfCa8yQBw/s463/jakeharrison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="463" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UQl9vdUROJRFWe1wDTe318p_aiMbE282lwPrSm2Yy6Gtbi9_9tzWSeTQNpolC8uPcQIzo1Lox8b5lKuyHZS8Bcn1nIFZteGHBldqQAxQgu4C5Wf352ndKSRxNV4QF2k54snmKg7Cru75EHPmnnK8tyFPV1jy0VmIANVeSDwywbncq3851bfCa8yQBw/s320/jakeharrison.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and what was it like?</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in Hanover county and Sebastian, Florida. I stayed in both a developed community and later in a more rural part in Hanover. It seemed like a quiet and safe place as a kid. I moved with family to Sebastian to finish high school. It was very beautiful and I enjoyed fishing with my grandfather. Unfortunately it didn’t provide much opportunity for the career I was interested in.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I worked with a federal contractor in the FAA realm while in Florida.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What attracted you to working for the college?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I like project based work in IT and my previous experiences working in an educational environment were great. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Tell us about your position and your work at the college?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I’m an Information Technology Specialist III and lead the systems engineering team in the Department of Technology.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most challenging?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I enjoy enabling other faculty and staff that work towards the goals of the college. In return, the college is positively impacting the members of our community. I also enjoy working with our support team at the VCCS. Dr. Amar, Mary Jane Bolling, and Alicia Marques are great at what they do and I’m lucky to work with them.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most challenging part would have to be the workload! It’s just been myself for quite a while, but luckily that is changing this week.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like to do when you aren’t working?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I look forward to going home and spending time with my family every day. I inherited my father’s motorcycle and learned how to work on bikes just enough to get it running. I have a home lab environment for studying and enjoy electronics. A recent project I did was assemble a handheld device that looks and functions like a Gameboy, but it can also be used for network assessments.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What are your favorite books, movies, or TV series, and why?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I’ll occasionally watch a TV show like Mythic Quest for the noise, but most of the time end up watching Blippi with my daughter. I’m currently reading “System Center Configuration Manager Reporting Unleashed” on my tablet. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I’d like to buy a house with a yard, pay off debt, and start a nonprofit refurbishing computers or bringing esports to schools.</i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-86653453827413497552022-03-29T07:57:00.002-07:002022-04-28T11:48:41.240-07:00Horticulture<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How does your garden grow?</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Greenleaf, a local medical cannabis producer, donated eight hydroponic grow tables to Reynolds horticulture program at The Kitchens. Crops are beginning to come up, and so are questions about what a grow table is, and what it does.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XTk-X9ZoxttaKDuhpBO3dzsNWEhPPDAugCRlWj8Uvd1dJqnOItIrv0a8ajEDUw9TMyF8K4CiTGSsQVWkmn_7nLjRNshADYShu7n4-obfhhu8Wz3cD2C4QauXJ8plhZR7fXhaTLNfhPcUSs44_7IuLZYjUZ4goOEIh1oKAo8Fahj5ch_PRU_qCksjxw/s4000/growtable1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XTk-X9ZoxttaKDuhpBO3dzsNWEhPPDAugCRlWj8Uvd1dJqnOItIrv0a8ajEDUw9TMyF8K4CiTGSsQVWkmn_7nLjRNshADYShu7n4-obfhhu8Wz3cD2C4QauXJ8plhZR7fXhaTLNfhPcUSs44_7IuLZYjUZ4goOEIh1oKAo8Fahj5ch_PRU_qCksjxw/s320/growtable1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hydroponic flood tables, also referred to as grow trays or plant trays, are a means for holding plants in a hydroponic, self-watering system. They generally work in tandem with a stand or rolling bench, with the hydroponic reservoir underneath.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most tables feature a single submersible pump placed in the reservoir and operated on a timer to periodically flood the plants. After the flood cycle is complete, the pump shuts off and the nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir through the pump by way of gravity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's springtime and David Seward, Karin Stretchko, and all of the horticulture program students are seriously up to their knees in plants. They were gracious enough to take time to answer a few questions on a rainy afternoon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5zUDSqfws06DCcRoy5WK8Z_8v_VQ8d64TeeuOBPQjRqm7L4pf5Dq88ZqxHYzMyarKc7FzXC7jdOz6H0tvAF7F__7PsAEltRCNN01m_f4lJgVU3kVkPAflzeHzT6olmyXWEn8qgGFOFYLFrnuQ4UrKhBNQM3pAp-7oHVv8Gs2n4GQX7nnbHTH9Wxew/s4000/growtable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5zUDSqfws06DCcRoy5WK8Z_8v_VQ8d64TeeuOBPQjRqm7L4pf5Dq88ZqxHYzMyarKc7FzXC7jdOz6H0tvAF7F__7PsAEltRCNN01m_f4lJgVU3kVkPAflzeHzT6olmyXWEn8qgGFOFYLFrnuQ4UrKhBNQM3pAp-7oHVv8Gs2n4GQX7nnbHTH9Wxew/s320/growtable2.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What are you growing in the tables at The Kitchens? </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Right now at The Kitchens, lettuces and kale. There are more products being produced at the Goochland Campus that have been growing longer. In Goochland assorted greens, vegetables, cucumbers, parsley, and a couple of other herbs are coming up.</i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Who will be using what is grown at The Kitchens? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The material at the Kitchens will go to the Culinary program. In Goochland, vegetables and plants go to students, and the Goochland Cares Food bank. We had a meeting with Kristen Holt, and will soon begin sharing harvests with Reynolds Food Pantries for our students.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0KbPifSSU-F1eXbSWfiwhqNkwqiI7dIrMp83BDPHxLgslQlOs0RlyJ1skEL8lnCB_1iTQ9fw4xisqTsyX1ZKYUFWkpYKvRl7aYWRowjU9YaO_-5d4zqR-Dshdpmbwr02j_fXL4goUJ9IiQ6PRh0S667dQ6weuQn7UnmYpRjoKtldHKMWWOr25LmsiQ/s1280/growtablegc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0KbPifSSU-F1eXbSWfiwhqNkwqiI7dIrMp83BDPHxLgslQlOs0RlyJ1skEL8lnCB_1iTQ9fw4xisqTsyX1ZKYUFWkpYKvRl7aYWRowjU9YaO_-5d4zqR-Dshdpmbwr02j_fXL4goUJ9IiQ6PRh0S667dQ6weuQn7UnmYpRjoKtldHKMWWOr25LmsiQ/s320/growtablegc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Is the grow time different than in the ground? </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I’d say the grow time is shorter in the hydroponics set up since it doesn’t slow up with weather conditions.</i></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">How are the tables regulated? </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">What happens if the power goes off? </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The floating system we are using at The Kitchens would be fine for a while with no power. The only things needing electricity would be the heaters/fans in the greenhouse itself, and the air stones used to provide oxygen to the water solution they are floating in.</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g5mHi-WfLE7Qdz9dDRYZd183d8ZPIW00uraTV7GfOiai_eE1qxWhIaI1U7bgAqIYMsa-lPeMvy42ryjAuFuSzXb5uR8Oqi9xol4mpfBV8OWnw_fFjbWPzWD5yFG7l6Xq3RrsWjN5GI4EbvAM1JvsObNlCbW8noaQM82NL5tDavaa3SazvkRSJk3vYA/s1600/growtablegc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g5mHi-WfLE7Qdz9dDRYZd183d8ZPIW00uraTV7GfOiai_eE1qxWhIaI1U7bgAqIYMsa-lPeMvy42ryjAuFuSzXb5uR8Oqi9xol4mpfBV8OWnw_fFjbWPzWD5yFG7l6Xq3RrsWjN5GI4EbvAM1JvsObNlCbW8noaQM82NL5tDavaa3SazvkRSJk3vYA/s320/growtablegc2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i></i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Will you be expanding the program? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>We may add a couple of tables at The Kitchens, and in Goochland. In general we do plan to expand our Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offerings. We are also working on a ground bed at The Kitchens, which means we are creating a raised bed to be in the greenhouse, where we can grow other crops.</i></span></p><p><br /></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-60217359759615567382022-03-15T08:22:00.001-07:002022-04-28T11:49:06.224-07:00Employee Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ashley King<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">G3 Advising Coordinator / Advising & Counseling Services</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcunUz9jCK7NXkkHdR6OCCwn1us4_KyggzaT8yOrh26ugFYT3aca15147jYnee6D5MkwEgABLSwnGhTK-rn8pXuXQC3rnGJPtjF4QFO4HxUFOdQxO_cBtLOKKnMSeABMysgWWwbtn-rLvuR7g1csiKoC74MS1se9TBPapiJYFBsv63nRrtIlP54qpLAA=s230" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="214" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcunUz9jCK7NXkkHdR6OCCwn1us4_KyggzaT8yOrh26ugFYT3aca15147jYnee6D5MkwEgABLSwnGhTK-rn8pXuXQC3rnGJPtjF4QFO4HxUFOdQxO_cBtLOKKnMSeABMysgWWwbtn-rLvuR7g1csiKoC74MS1se9TBPapiJYFBsv63nRrtIlP54qpLAA" width="214" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and what was it like? </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia where I had an amazing childhood. I loved doing activities so I was in extracurricular activities such as: Little league cheerleading, little league basketball, Track and field, and the Step Team. In the classroom, most of my teachers would say I was a “social butterfly”. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What brought you to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>What brought me to Reynolds is my love for people and education. Reynolds being a Community College allows me to meet people from all walks of life and I love hearing and learning about other ethnicities and cultures. More importantly, I love being able to help students reach their educational goals. I can’t say that growing up at Reynolds wasn’t part of what brought me to Reynolds. My mother is Jackie Manley. She has worked here at Reynolds since I was in Elementary School. Reynolds has always been family to me! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Before Reynolds I was at Norfolk State University, pursing a major in Sociology and minoring in Criminal Justice. At this time, I worked for Saxon Shoes, where I’d been working the past eight years. Fortunately, Reynolds gave me an opportunity at a “real” fulltime job shortly after I graduated college.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Tell us about your work at the college. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most challenging?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The most rewarding part of my job here at Reynolds is being able to interact with and learn from people from all over. The most challenging part about my job is hearing some of the difficulties our students face or have faced in their personal lives.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like to do when you aren’t working?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am a foodie! When I am not working, I am either at home in the kitchen cooking or out eating with my family. I love summer time, so you can always catch me at the pool or beach with husband and bonus son, or chilling with my friends at a concert or lounge. When I am not out and about I am home laying around watching shows and sports with my husband. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My favorite TV Series is Sistahs and favorite movies are Gladiator and The Negotiator. I love to read, but don’t have a favorite book.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery what would you do with the money?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>If I won $100 million in the lottery, I would reinvest my money into other businesses, start my own businesses and travel the world.</i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-19167480172796546132022-03-14T11:53:00.001-07:002022-04-28T11:49:20.464-07:00ATD<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds attends Achieving The Dream’s 18th annual convening, DREAM 2022<br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Contributed by Kelly Waterbury / </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enrollment Management and Student Success Coordinator, Advising Services</span></i></p></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9EnSHx724lri1agcnGCR2T7HUiE6fg0U0Qbbefku8f-XplCTU5XAkFPrgzHtoBjVskQIvCOFSmDpfC1plg-7vicGSlQFI6SoxXlJ2-UE3_bkqQ8BD-etu714Cek33K0_jEVAf6s1lle2XSqhXfCLhNEqura9YSD_JlKxb2dPSKHl0G_WUKcJn974wag=s232" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="232" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9EnSHx724lri1agcnGCR2T7HUiE6fg0U0Qbbefku8f-XplCTU5XAkFPrgzHtoBjVskQIvCOFSmDpfC1plg-7vicGSlQFI6SoxXlJ2-UE3_bkqQ8BD-etu714Cek33K0_jEVAf6s1lle2XSqhXfCLhNEqura9YSD_JlKxb2dPSKHl0G_WUKcJn974wag=w320-h164" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Achieving the Dream is a network of more than 300 colleges across 45 states that are dedicated to providing better services to students and accelerating student success. This network of community colleges work together to be the leaders of equitable change.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The week of February 14th, leaders, scholars and practitioners united for four days of Achieving The Dream’s (ATD’s) plenary sessions, DREAM 2022. Reynolds faculty and staff who attended are listed below. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DREAM 2022 was a virtual conference that provided powerful and key insights about evidence-based reform strategies to sustain transformational change in higher education. The lessons and messages shared by the ADT presenters were focused on equity and continual change as the driving force for achieving educational, economic and social benefits of higher education for our nation’s students.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DREAM 2022 centered on five key themes representing challenges and opportunities for meaningful change in our colleges and communities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Building stronger pathways to and through postsecondary education</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Adopting a holistic, equity-focused approach to community vitality</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eliminating systemic barriers to student success</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fostering a sense of belonging through teaching and learning excellence</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Leveraging data and analytics for institutional and community well-being</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Colleges in the ATD Network benefit from the collective learning of institutions and partners and from ATD’s 15 years of experience, anticipating future needs and issues in the face of continual change. Network institutions have the unique opportunity to learn from (and with) their peers through exclusive access to network events, summits, and convenings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Colleges leaders confirm that participation in the ATD Network makes a real impact in strengthening campus culture and increasing student outcomes.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds attendees: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jeffrey Allen, Nancy Bailey, Bern Battle, Heather Blicher, Chequana Boisseau, Melissa Brooks, Kris Dahm, Stacie Davis, Lori Dwyer, Lofton Hooker, Marlon Johnson, Karen Layou, Bess Littlefield, Teresa Jordan, Cara Luyster, Tim Merrill, Paula Pando, Ernesto Quintero, Jason Sampson, Terricita Sass, Robin Shepherd, Curt Smith, Bruce Sofinski, Kelly Waterbury, Clifton Webb, Herman West</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-58917951563578912832022-03-14T10:14:00.004-07:002022-04-28T11:49:41.799-07:00Federal Work Study Program<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FWS: Successes Prove its Value</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Programs are just programs until names, faces, and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">successes prove their value. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Federal Work Study program (FWS) is a great example. The program was started in 1964 during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. Now, just shy of its 50th Anniversary, the program has been around so long it’s like electricity – you wouldn’t really notice it unless it got cut off. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But at a time when enrollment and student retention are the most important goals Reynolds confronts, programs like FWS and the lives its impacted, should get a closer look. And what better time than National Student Employee Appreciation Week, April 11 to 15, to pay tribute to the FWS program through the lives of four Reynolds staff members.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meredith Kane, Maria Clarke, Rachel Hoke, and Kanika Morris embody the original spirit and intention of FWS – to stimulate and promote part time employment for students with financial need in higher education. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To say these four women are advocates of the program is not quite strong enough. Their lives have radically changed course as a result of their participation, and they all express great gratitude for the opportunity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Meredith Kane</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbxfWd5rcqXDShelwuDqlyEuhteJSOv0BbK1IPdM6tWPI3wfCTpZCbb-7lVeZqcmW4y3a2PRljUZTeeRTKzR7qoX9_9pizD3EWF_ueAynhneTV0Wy2QP_V4xU0kux_jIGNvyX69oK_JCW67Lqd0ahA2GY63pauwO2vGq6aYQVODNsnrAS8GOK5TzyWEg=s1187" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1187" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbxfWd5rcqXDShelwuDqlyEuhteJSOv0BbK1IPdM6tWPI3wfCTpZCbb-7lVeZqcmW4y3a2PRljUZTeeRTKzR7qoX9_9pizD3EWF_ueAynhneTV0Wy2QP_V4xU0kux_jIGNvyX69oK_JCW67Lqd0ahA2GY63pauwO2vGq6aYQVODNsnrAS8GOK5TzyWEg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meredith came to Reynolds in 2019 as a part-time Financial Aid Specialist. Just as the Covid pandemic was in full swing in July 2020 she was hired full time as a Financial Aid Technician and was also given the role of FWS Coordinator. Before coming to Reynolds Meredith was working in retail merchandising management for two large department stores.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meredith’s smile lights up when she talks about FWS and the students. Her connection to the program is personal. Before taking her job here at the college she knew first hand about the federal work study program. When she was in college at Virginia Tech she was a student worker. She worked in the Virginia Tech library sorting government documents which helped pay for her housing until she graduated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Many of the students in the program have limited or no prior work experience,” Meredith said. “These positions are opportunities for students to learn new skills including critical thinking, customer service, organization, time management and communication. When students graduate these skills can be used to build their resumes. Employers are impressed to see students who have job experience and who have worked while attending school, making FWS students more competitive and attractive to employers.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And the benefit for Reynolds? “FWS students add value to the department they work in,” Meredith continues. “They are able to give feedback to supervisors and staff though student’s “eyes” – a perspective that might have previously been overlooked. Having a FWS student in your department is a great reminder that we are not just here for students to complete classwork, but we are here to also establish a foundation with real world skills for them to be successful beyond the classroom."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Perhaps most important, work study students are more likely to complete their academic programs and have a greater sense of belonging in the college community. They stay on campus longer during the day. They are more dedicated and invested because they have the chance to develop deeper relationships with faculty and staff who continually check in with them to find out how they're doing.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Maria Clarke</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhatVMoS532yzsUj8TzaJrC1Mkou7tewFeG3kx-bV0GahIehyiu9y2L9Wlyg-kyKateE9q5BcGdHHYr9WSTqa5FEl8cBzdEK8N5MiCOXv_M2yTiCH_INsiPxRJQUeotDu_FEvM5NjnrBwuLapun_Tl4QYU5bsqkNI30vXcU7H-1jKcYERDloQfl4ISthg=s1368" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1368" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhatVMoS532yzsUj8TzaJrC1Mkou7tewFeG3kx-bV0GahIehyiu9y2L9Wlyg-kyKateE9q5BcGdHHYr9WSTqa5FEl8cBzdEK8N5MiCOXv_M2yTiCH_INsiPxRJQUeotDu_FEvM5NjnrBwuLapun_Tl4QYU5bsqkNI30vXcU7H-1jKcYERDloQfl4ISthg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maria's first comment is: “I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to work as a work study student.” The experience gave her career a 180 degree turn and changed her future. She has a degree in accounting, but life didn’t take her down that path.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Maria came to Reynolds as a student she immediately went into the Work Study program in the Financial Aid Department. There she stayed in that department for the next 15 years. “At the time I started I had a single focus. I was going to be an accountant and work with numbers. But I like helping people. The work study changed me. Six months after working as a work study I was offered a part-time position as a Financial Aid Technician. Soon after I was offered a full-time position as a Financial Aid Advisor. Then, in 2014 I was promoted to Financial Aid Coordinator. All of this was possible because I had the work study opportunity.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We are always happy to have a work study student in the office. We use them to test the FAFSA. They see things from their perspective, and that really helps us.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">No doubt, Maria, like Meredith, is just about the best mentor and guide a student could ask for. Both have been down the FWS road. Both are caring and compassionate. Both know how much students need that extra help.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Rachel Hoke</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcFAvtvzr4Jn1xj0bzvLAmlYt-1_7CYTDzDcGuMqWSKrCeD5fOPf5VQHinIStBUbUAtDH6dMG7pDxCTX788FlXh171_S8jRX2a_2w7kCsUCeTlFVYDJ7K3ePiyztHETfzs7lc2Mfcd11Fp-5ui9j8_NwZJ6QaXqc4fQ0g5UdRrg3IIVvMyLTbzJR84wA=s1353" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1353" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcFAvtvzr4Jn1xj0bzvLAmlYt-1_7CYTDzDcGuMqWSKrCeD5fOPf5VQHinIStBUbUAtDH6dMG7pDxCTX788FlXh171_S8jRX2a_2w7kCsUCeTlFVYDJ7K3ePiyztHETfzs7lc2Mfcd11Fp-5ui9j8_NwZJ6QaXqc4fQ0g5UdRrg3IIVvMyLTbzJR84wA=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rachel <i>(on left in picture)</i> will tell you she didn’t get into Reynolds FWS until her last semester, and “that was a big mistake.” She wished she had gotten into the program from the beginning. “I was working in retail, and wasn’t building any career skills. My Work Study job started in the Registrar’s Office. I really love Ms. Angela [Ross] she is great to work with. After graduation she kept me on, and gave me a part-time position. She is a great supporter of the Work Study program, and cares about student success. Being part of the program changed my mindset. I got much more serious and focused on my school work. Here I was on campus, and the staff was always checking up on me. I wanted to do well.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rachel received her associate’s degree in Social Sciences, and is now working on her bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University. She continues to work part-time in Reynolds Registrar’s Office. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Kanika Morris</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTAXTzwpM1wKAlBRqxMJwYQkAgUrZo6InAFMciDqptNPis_ZMwhxbJXImMo-N0YVjlmoBwup7UneePIJmmDsSfe3-GzDdy9sMenQiHJt4bgDnNMT9Zn_bhrgHClOeYA8MNbj4ahr2MjMSor21azl3XdRDbePEIk03saU-Tbp3gp4ogYeOVthaquwiuDw=s1396" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.21em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1396" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTAXTzwpM1wKAlBRqxMJwYQkAgUrZo6InAFMciDqptNPis_ZMwhxbJXImMo-N0YVjlmoBwup7UneePIJmmDsSfe3-GzDdy9sMenQiHJt4bgDnNMT9Zn_bhrgHClOeYA8MNbj4ahr2MjMSor21azl3XdRDbePEIk03saU-Tbp3gp4ogYeOVthaquwiuDw=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">“My experience in the work study program has been outstanding,” Kanika is quick to say. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before coming to Reynolds Kanika <i>(on the right in picture)</i> was a tractor-trailer driver, and as the job demanded, she had to be away from home too often. She came to Reynolds out of curiosity. Her young son was being taught sign language, she was fascinated and wanted to learn it herself. As a student she ran into other students who were getting associate’s degrees and was certain she could do that too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Kanika began her studies in Social Sciences she went into the Work Study program. She too started in the Financial Aid Office, then moved to Single Stop which was more closely aligned with her area of study. From there she went to the Registrar’s Office – she too loves Ms. Ross – and started working part-time. Kanika will graduate this spring, and will continue her studies at Old Dominion along with Rachel. Her young son? He also came to Reynolds, also participated in the Work Study program, and graduated from Reynolds last year, one year before his mom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The work study program has helped me tremendously,” Kanika holds up her hands and gives a big smile. “It gave me a chance to stay home, and forced me to stay on top of my classes, to be dedicated and serious about my school work, and to be a mommy at the same time. The staff were all so encouraging, they made sure I would succeed. And here I am.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The Future</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2021 Reynolds Work Study program had about thirty students participating. In 2022 the number dropped to 25. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Student workers can be used anywhere on campus, but go mainly into Enrollment Services – Advising, Admissions, Registration. They have also been placed in the Writing Studio, Math Central, and most of the other academic departments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most important to note here is that presently the program can accommodate about sixty students each semester. That means about half of this important student support opportunity is going untapped. Since budgeting for the program is based on need, if sixty students were hired into the program it could be expanded even further. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like electricity, let's appreciate this old 1960s program while it's still providing light.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-15865562905472019502022-03-09T12:28:00.003-08:002022-04-28T11:50:02.152-07:00Employee Profile<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m not done yet.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you’ve ever discounted the intelligence of athletes, or doubted the finesse and fitness of professional wrestlers, a five minute conversation with Dr. Daniel Fritz, aka “Mr. Excellent”, will give your opinion a one-two punch. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet Dr. Daniel Charles Fritz. Scholar. Athlete. And, Professional Wrestler. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5h5bFLzOGHFBfcftxfxkObNVA36G1kneBA4Vy4zc4EhaTS1fn22cSFmHUOpAhai-wZcRggDrmrfMITR4f3R715iNzRTo2Svh80Hn9AzPxhvrlfa-wT1OV-58Hhm0YPeiSGFfALDLp49-i7HEwbGnwI6A6DyoSvAZtoQDQr_3tTBz0Q8P7my42-Ch2ug=s1600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5h5bFLzOGHFBfcftxfxkObNVA36G1kneBA4Vy4zc4EhaTS1fn22cSFmHUOpAhai-wZcRggDrmrfMITR4f3R715iNzRTo2Svh80Hn9AzPxhvrlfa-wT1OV-58Hhm0YPeiSGFfALDLp49-i7HEwbGnwI6A6DyoSvAZtoQDQr_3tTBz0Q8P7my42-Ch2ug=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">First, meet <i><b>Dr. Fritz</b></i>, the scholar: Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Virginia State University, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Reynolds who teaches Calculus, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. Dr. Fritz holds not one, but two bachelor degrees, one in Architectural Engineering, the other in Pure Mathematics. His master’s degree is in Applied Mathematics. His doctorate is in Education. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then meet <b><i>Daniel Fritz</i></b>, the world class athlete, national competitor, record setting track runner, semi-pro footballer, track coach, martial arts master with five black belts with national and international titles, and founder of <a href="https://www.vsu.edu/student-life/sport-leisure/ten-tigers.php" target="_blank">Ten Tigers of Taekwondo and Self Defense.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then meet <b><i>Danny Fritz</i></b> or <b><i>Mr. Excellent</i></b>, as he is known is the world of Professional Wrestling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJya_h43x1ziGGkiJP62nGQJxVmzKzif1aY3eb1HPqLpi7gkoEGswL7G7NEoxdHP4b2VnIprTYh-30L2HESX1qsYxLiqkjA_O6XxiXijS6VjPbGy687yKKT6BUocH6cl1-J2YpNEzu3ce1nyN6LL7fJx9380sEdWJPConGUa3YQ5Pko4xQZUuKEVMfLQ=s3000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJya_h43x1ziGGkiJP62nGQJxVmzKzif1aY3eb1HPqLpi7gkoEGswL7G7NEoxdHP4b2VnIprTYh-30L2HESX1qsYxLiqkjA_O6XxiXijS6VjPbGy687yKKT6BUocH6cl1-J2YpNEzu3ce1nyN6LL7fJx9380sEdWJPConGUa3YQ5Pko4xQZUuKEVMfLQ=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Dr. Fritz, Daniel, Danny, Mr. Excellent</i></b> has excelled in whatever he’s put his mind to. He has struggled, persevered, struggled some more, and won. He’s met and exceeded his goals, has a list of accomplishments a mile long (see the list below), and still, at the age of 59 says emphatically, “I’m not done yet.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of this gentleman’s most striking characteristics is that with all his national and international titles and awards, with his degrees, with his accomplishments, and with the famous people he’s met, he exhibits not one ounce of pretension or condescension. His smile is open and genuine, his kindness and caring are evident. “Just call me “Danny,” he says, “all my friends call me Danny.” And you can be sure Danny has a lot of friends. He's that kind of person.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Danny was born and raised in Philadelphia. His Aunt Trudy became his Mom when she adopted him at birth. He was her only child, and she was a single mom. The rest of his family was absent. “Mom was there for everything growing up,” Danny </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">says, “for every track meet, every event, rain, snow, late night, it didn’t matter, she was always there. She put me into lots of different things to build my confidence and self-esteem. Track, football, scouts, camps, I had a lot of activities.” At eight years old Danny won his first karate competition and his future in martial arts, in competition, and in winning, was set.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGyZ1hoS6CoIj5mAGN8D48Ki8P3EdunOyrZi7n53s3OkrNYD4OMuegOGXwQNtrrUVgcw0FIi2AsnvJ8gMrFo7A_XMd4YADGvFXDTmZfRaMlGptSaVFag5MJiQWd4WVZ6_k23BMbNpNVAnxq9BD7pMwwyXGOCANwfAgF9pZE-HY_OgXwaK4-u9Ju7hfAw=s1467" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGyZ1hoS6CoIj5mAGN8D48Ki8P3EdunOyrZi7n53s3OkrNYD4OMuegOGXwQNtrrUVgcw0FIi2AsnvJ8gMrFo7A_XMd4YADGvFXDTmZfRaMlGptSaVFag5MJiQWd4WVZ6_k23BMbNpNVAnxq9BD7pMwwyXGOCANwfAgF9pZE-HY_OgXwaK4-u9Ju7hfAw=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Pictured here: Danny on the left with Jesse Owens center.</i> </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But life was no cakewalk. Bullying, peer pressure, family absence and criticism, limited resources . . . all the “stuff” life dealt Danny growing up worked like a supercharged energy drink to fuel his desire to win, to learn, and to accomplish his goals. Whenever he was confronted with a challenge, he dug in, and worked to master it. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Danny found his calling in math while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Engineering. “I wanted to draw buildings, but there were all those math courses.” He was overwhelmed, but worked the math like a punching bag. In the midst of his struggle he realized being a math teacher was his destiny. God, he said, had a plan for him. But it wasn’t until he started teaching math, and pursing his master’s degree, that the subject and his calling became his own. His struggle ultimately became his win.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the same time as he was doing time with math, on the “athletic” side of his life, Danny had another set of challenges. “I always wanted to get into professional wrestling,” he said, “I watched it [wrestling] growing up and knew it was something I wanted to do. Something I could do.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgKS5Gbt0hzP3eLadJP0lQn6kVXmcaP71GGLyUZ-XO3X0gMDrQQqYgnep82Txh6f6RiRNJT1Wtz9R40BUDaczyNt4fQVLhfHySvHkbfPyflgaSr638CL9i2cqv6s3mZ3wYkSSyG8isIkhlwgvYCJnCZB3o3bI_H95XoZ_3UEwQcIy3VGC67Ik6fajG1Q=s1509" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1509" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgKS5Gbt0hzP3eLadJP0lQn6kVXmcaP71GGLyUZ-XO3X0gMDrQQqYgnep82Txh6f6RiRNJT1Wtz9R40BUDaczyNt4fQVLhfHySvHkbfPyflgaSr638CL9i2cqv6s3mZ3wYkSSyG8isIkhlwgvYCJnCZB3o3bI_H95XoZ_3UEwQcIy3VGC67Ik6fajG1Q=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">So Danny did what he does best: he worked the challenge like an opponent. He attended two of the top wrestling schools in the country and learned his craft. With his track, football and martial arts background, he was prepared to confront the rigorous training head on. He met and worked with top wrestlers, he travelled up and down the east coast for matches, and Mr. Excellent made a name for himself. He became known for his high-flying moves and his finesse. His fans loved him, and love him still. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keep in mind, Danny was never in a position to pursue just one of these areas at a time. While he was earning his academic degrees he was also earning his chops in martial arts and wrestling. And, as most athlete scholars must do, he was also working a job to fund his dreams. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9_hwHLEWdHSbvXKFlUtlkm2dN9T0il868fQOmAvuZyu7PzKbtWTELVKJYjSa93B_yMirYbfdTgjQBNnMFxwxNVOgJIV0r_SuBNwtEJFwE3MVd8zP0ehgWJskiGPQwb9EADjLszCtkrHMaZMvc9TKQHNiI9dWwi6h6XcD_lYDk6Yhdd-JDe_srVH20FQ=s1920" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9_hwHLEWdHSbvXKFlUtlkm2dN9T0il868fQOmAvuZyu7PzKbtWTELVKJYjSa93B_yMirYbfdTgjQBNnMFxwxNVOgJIV0r_SuBNwtEJFwE3MVd8zP0ehgWJskiGPQwb9EADjLszCtkrHMaZMvc9TKQHNiI9dWwi6h6XcD_lYDk6Yhdd-JDe_srVH20FQ=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now, at age 59, Danny’s mantra is: I’m not done yet. And he certainly isn’t. He is actively pursuing his shot at the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stage, and another doctorate, this one in math. There is no “downtime” for Danny. His days are filled with teaching and helping students, whether it’s in the classroom, on the track, or the mats of the martial arts studio. He has succeeded, and wants all of his students to do the same. </span><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>“Imagine being able to do what you want at both ends of your career," said Reynolds Dean of Science, Technology, and Engineering Ray Burton, "a professional wrestler AND a well-renowned mathematician? When Dr. Fritz -Danny - <a href="https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2022/02/06/dan-mr-excellent-fritz-you-cant-be-perfect-but-you-can-be-excellent/" target="_blank">sent me this [Slam] article</a>, I read it and immediately asked if I could share it with the team and the college. Up to now, I had only seen Danny in the classroom eliciting so many of those coveted “light bulb” moments all teachers seek from their students. His story is both compelling and an example to so many of our students. Don’t let your dreams be restricted and when you reach high, reach as high as you can. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Danny brings a love of learning to students in what are considered some of the most difficult, high-level mathematics courses in the community college system. He is very invested in his students’ success. I and the whole STEM Team are very proud to have him as a colleague.”</i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keep this in mind: if you ever get tired or down, or feel like giving up on those hard to reach goals, here’s hoping you’ll think back on this article and keep Danny’s story in focus, and maybe even say to yourself, “I’m not done yet either.” </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN6CW_afq8f_KxeaQbSF2HpemZabMW78j1N4cyi7Xpsz--bqO9zPCGwDTiMlFIOwGnsFPTIqa8dZda_NG34Rxn5-ech2_XzZ2ZDJblTnSXRoan6gepwPjBUTNbaYd4s-gmsXlGqc6C7zqdaZVCQkw4COpJUWziRWKglF9cHzASqIdTStqVdRNpsaCQCw=s5500" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="5500" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN6CW_afq8f_KxeaQbSF2HpemZabMW78j1N4cyi7Xpsz--bqO9zPCGwDTiMlFIOwGnsFPTIqa8dZda_NG34Rxn5-ech2_XzZ2ZDJblTnSXRoan6gepwPjBUTNbaYd4s-gmsXlGqc6C7zqdaZVCQkw4COpJUWziRWKglF9cHzASqIdTStqVdRNpsaCQCw=w498-h145" width="498" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Daniel C. Fritz Long List</b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>YouTube Videos</b></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFNWPwniQw"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFNWPwniQw</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqPtj_o0Nxo"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqPtj_o0Nxo</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IF46PVQuvQ"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IF46PVQuvQ</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Wrestling</b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">IWA U.S. Heavy Weight Champion (2 times) </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">International Wrestling Alliance (based out of North Carolina)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NDW U.S Heavy Weight Champion (3 times) </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">New Dimensions Championship wrestling</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ACW U.S. Television Champion (2 times) </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alternative Championship Wrestling</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">WWP Heavy Weight Champion and United State Heavy Weight Champion</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">World Wrestling Promotions (Based out of North Carolina)</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Martial Arts</b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">These competitions were all at the black belt level: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taekwondo North Carolina State Champion (3 times Forms Champions) in the Ultra Division</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taekwondo North Carolina State Champion ( 2 time Fighting Champion) in the Ultra Division</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bronze medalist in the fighting competition (Ultra Division) U.S. Taekwondo National Championship (1998, Cincinnati, Ohio)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Silver medalist in forms competition (Ultra Division) U.S. Taekwondo National Championships ( 2006, New Orleans, LA)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taekwondo Kyonggi International Forms Champion (2002) Gold Medalist in Seoul Korea</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taekwondo Kyonggi International Silver medalist in fighting competition in Seoul Korea</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kung Fu and Karate Kata/Forms Grand Champion </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Presently preparing for matches in professional wrestling to try and get to the WWE, Ring of Honor (and also preparing to compete in Mixed Martial Arts and also to get to Karate Combat League).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Credentials</b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">2nd Degree Black Belt in Jidokwan Taekwondo (WTF, with Kukkiwon certification)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">3rd Degree Black Belt in Mudokwan Taekwondo</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">2th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">3th Degree Black belt in Shotokan Karate</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Master instructor in Hung –Gar (5 animal ) Sil Lum Kung Fu</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Education</b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bachelor of Science in Degree Pure mathematics From Winston Salem State University</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Masters of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics-from North Carolina A&T State University</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doctorate Degree in Education from Virginia State University</span></p></blockquote><div><br /></div></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-62692443128958588722022-02-28T09:47:00.001-08:002022-04-28T11:50:17.621-07:00Employee Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet Yvette Brooks<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Coaching and Recruitment Support Technician </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDsSnzSVKDmCsen8rlD_J3MbB2n3u6t-BWYt1hslLU7mwuoscIZDRuwZISUg1vexaKgNDA_yvaUH6ZmK58Uz4yGh__aSvTt_v7jwQlzDvmtOpv_nTYwtqVMIvfezwW9T0dj9tVXpLHDyPpCCZgQryk0oK_GXw5TdWHChdEAYuIH7vq8Q4LqpLYkCvuRg=s725" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: .1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDsSnzSVKDmCsen8rlD_J3MbB2n3u6t-BWYt1hslLU7mwuoscIZDRuwZISUg1vexaKgNDA_yvaUH6ZmK58Uz4yGh__aSvTt_v7jwQlzDvmtOpv_nTYwtqVMIvfezwW9T0dj9tVXpLHDyPpCCZgQryk0oK_GXw5TdWHChdEAYuIH7vq8Q4LqpLYkCvuRg=s320" width="203" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up, and what was it like? </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up here in Richmond as an only child. My mother who also work at Reynolds (Ms. Theresa Brooks) was a great mother and is still my role model to this day. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What brought you to Reynolds - aside from your mother? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I love what Reynolds stands for and what we do here. It is very satisfying to see the students we help move on to bigger and better things.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>How long have you been with the college? What were you doing before you came to Reynolds?</b><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I started at Reynolds after high school. I received my Business Administration degree while working at Reynolds I have worked various positions. I started as a work-study student and moved to part-time and then on to my current job in Admissions and Recruitment.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Coaching and Recruitment is a busy area these days. Tell us about your work in the department. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am the Admission and Recruitment Support Specialist. I can say I do a little bit of everything. From answering phones to helping student with applications, and more. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What do you like to do outside of work? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I currently have little free time outside of work as I am working on my Forensic Accounting Degree, but whenever I can I enjoy reading and traveling.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series, and why? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I don’t know that I have a favorite book, but I really enjoy mysteries. I enjoy trying to figure out the who, what, and why.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery what would you do with the money? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>If I won the lottery I would complete my goal to visit all 50 states. So far I have marked off 14 states.</i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-52110003229358080492022-02-28T09:06:00.003-08:002022-04-28T11:50:31.608-07:00PTK<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds PTK at work in the community: Finally in Person!</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEDAIiTdwmhCesCmtDpookrHrKtmtRSilfOUZP50JZ-p350qNhD7nkw00xLV4JqTN2FhRa-w4NqvhdJjRnCLrJR5b0RlwA2WeHtl9Bfoa0nGHR3uDUGHv8B7v6s8vEW4H05icgQBGdfRvcKvzkR8JYK3XPqrQ_YpaClijn4nLh3Uh3TpTO3E4LMSwp9g=s640" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEDAIiTdwmhCesCmtDpookrHrKtmtRSilfOUZP50JZ-p350qNhD7nkw00xLV4JqTN2FhRa-w4NqvhdJjRnCLrJR5b0RlwA2WeHtl9Bfoa0nGHR3uDUGHv8B7v6s8vEW4H05icgQBGdfRvcKvzkR8JYK3XPqrQ_YpaClijn4nLh3Uh3TpTO3E4LMSwp9g=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since 2020, during covid times, PTK's community projects have all been virtual. Finally, on February 12th 2022, students were able to do their first in person - all outside - service project.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The long, cold day was spent at James River Park removing invasive plants from the trail around the Pumphouse Park area of the James River. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kim Hasley and Cara Luyster co-advise PTK, and shared these details about what PTK has been up to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>How did PTK get involved with the Park? How many students participated? And, how was the day?</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were five of us all together. We worked with James River Park services to remove invasive plant species from the trail. We ended up picking up a lot of trash too, even though that was not our main job. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We used the “Hands On RVA” site to get in touch with the James River Parks. They provided the equipment we needed to cut down the invasive plants choking out the trees. We were out there for several hours and were all tired when we were done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">HandsOn Greater Richmond, is a way to connect with the community. It’s easy. Just create a volunteer account and you can manage your own signups as part of this team. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>What virtual community projects have you been doing since 2020? </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before 2020, we would do one service project a month—things like volunteering with BARK, Richmond Animal League, going to see kids in the hospital for a reverse Trick or Treat, and doing activities with residents at nursing homes. Approximately, 280 students have joined PTK every year since 2019. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With covid we couldn’t get out into the community. We wanted to continue our project so, like everyone else, we learned how to be of service virtually. Here are a few of the virtual projects we’ve been working on since 2020.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">BeMyEyes. This is an app used to help the visually impaired. It is a remote service done through a secure portal. Students could sign up for the app, and when someone needed their help interpreting visual information they would get a notification.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Donate! All PTK members were encouraged to donate to a local charity. From clothes, canned food, and money, all are encouraged to lend a helping hand during these hard times!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Transcribing historical documents. This project challenged students to jump back into community service by transcribing historical documents! Not only is this a fun and easy way to earn a credit towards the 5-STAR ENHANCEMENT PLAN, but it also can be done from the comfort of home! Students could explore, choose their favorite topic, and start transcribing! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good Deeds Day. Students were directed to this website where they could choose a virtual service opportunity.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQV1puGcovDuH1imz496-GWZY3ChDSVR9dJipZkuMCpGlY9Q3mJpBJn02TcYdnppSEuyGOPgsCROKI-x8ZHiIv3fucIYg_VS2m8vOficiKzxE8JD6XdK0pKINovqFPDShv3xmyDvf7tGNKzFCZpcKbQqTqr4i-dYaQmJh-LrHPMyBs9Vzj2JMZPOKXJg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQV1puGcovDuH1imz496-GWZY3ChDSVR9dJipZkuMCpGlY9Q3mJpBJn02TcYdnppSEuyGOPgsCROKI-x8ZHiIv3fucIYg_VS2m8vOficiKzxE8JD6XdK0pKINovqFPDShv3xmyDvf7tGNKzFCZpcKbQqTqr4i-dYaQmJh-LrHPMyBs9Vzj2JMZPOKXJg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While there seemed to be no end to the service opportunities that sprang up from the turmoil of covid, the James River Park project was literally, and figuratively, a breath of fresh air. It was great to get back out in the community in person, besides it’s hard to beat the satisfaction of a day of productive hard work.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-27922268909671105062022-02-16T04:23:00.005-08:002022-04-28T11:50:53.744-07:00Employee Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back Roads. Engine Lights. 10,000 Steps. Consider yourself lucky to meet Tonia Haney.</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDaiiVfJk6_yfFslnWw5U5zZPdwzj2Oh3NSYk6x8it3kP8Fi7TY0u-wDul2NTbHNs9-RHNFHatT7_k94oXSEG1kroGccTKxwQyzCBTDpG4mFE_VlVbqnsawdnQw_9iwBxR4e0UeLm7R6VMV5QQ_FsTqZZ8wTMl7oAqIdXlezXPAoA-7Lxrb_F4Ckdx1w=s642" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="642" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDaiiVfJk6_yfFslnWw5U5zZPdwzj2Oh3NSYk6x8it3kP8Fi7TY0u-wDul2NTbHNs9-RHNFHatT7_k94oXSEG1kroGccTKxwQyzCBTDpG4mFE_VlVbqnsawdnQw_9iwBxR4e0UeLm7R6VMV5QQ_FsTqZZ8wTMl7oAqIdXlezXPAoA-7Lxrb_F4Ckdx1w=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many people do you know who are brave enough to crisscross the country on back roads? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many people do you know who have driven to, and through, every state in the lower 48? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To be sure, anyone with the moxie to take annual back road car trips must know quite a bit about cars and car repairs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you meet one such adventurous soul in your lifetime, you would be lucky.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So consider yourself lucky. In March you will have the opportunity to meet just such a character in Reynolds new Automotive Program Head and Instructor, Tonia Haney. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbrNmPLoiuGVG8XBdmmsODfPdctYDTTQJF_I2toktunabK-YToRovmpNp0ZRHyWOZGOYvIzyG0UDsr9KiuynflTYuOx96zu5Nbqm2clCFDXsemdLH3LBGPggiDPv1UrFON6naKcaOeG2ep8-zBwqE20vjtmlSxNh_XpykvUD_2Y_NUDvYWDxC0OFu5yg=s537" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="537" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbrNmPLoiuGVG8XBdmmsODfPdctYDTTQJF_I2toktunabK-YToRovmpNp0ZRHyWOZGOYvIzyG0UDsr9KiuynflTYuOx96zu5Nbqm2clCFDXsemdLH3LBGPggiDPv1UrFON6naKcaOeG2ep8-zBwqE20vjtmlSxNh_XpykvUD_2Y_NUDvYWDxC0OFu5yg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">First a little background. Tonia grew up in a small town in the mid-west. “I actually did grow up in a garage,” Tonia said, “my grandfather owned and operated the only repair shop in the small town where I grew up. I got in to it [fixing cars] because I just liked hanging out with grandpa.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But, cars and car repairs were not Tonia’s first choice of career. She started out studying Chemical Engineering. A bout with Calculus II made her realize she did, indeed, enjoy the challenges of diagnosing and fixing cars, so she changed her major and graduated with a degree in Automotive Technology.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgE_tfM96_f_qqY0ykuPsWSESP0fgmmrWjDz7_h0sBpQm3QKDT2p2G4J9nnreyVITT3aUMk5QA96kf45BKAovXnKRrZq9BhcURQt6A5fj4H_ZetlTJDfPhurSfTiKRFc12lj9Jj2cWwu5KcxLpyEiA7hIukPLNHJliVRzvNflbA0ihKrXo3XZfUmOK5g=s563" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="563" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgE_tfM96_f_qqY0ykuPsWSESP0fgmmrWjDz7_h0sBpQm3QKDT2p2G4J9nnreyVITT3aUMk5QA96kf45BKAovXnKRrZq9BhcURQt6A5fj4H_ZetlTJDfPhurSfTiKRFc12lj9Jj2cWwu5KcxLpyEiA7hIukPLNHJliVRzvNflbA0ihKrXo3XZfUmOK5g=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Straight out of college Tonia went to work for General Motors in Detroit. A few years later, GM sent her to work in Portland. She worked for GM in Portland for the next four years, but when the company “recalled” her to Detroit, Tonia said no. She liked Portland and decided to stay. Portland became her home and for the next six years she ran a mobile repair business, then for the next eleven years she served as Automotive Program Head and Instructor for an established Toyota T-TEN program in a community college.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was through a monthly conference call with Toyota that Tonia heard about Reynolds joining the T-TEN program, and that the college was looking for someone to get the ball rolling. A visit to the Reynolds website, an application, and an interview later, and Tonia was packing her bags for Virginia. “The job itself is awesome,” said Tonia, “but what attracted me most to Reynolds was that I could build the program from the ground up.” Life’s challenges are clearly what excite Tonia the most.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At Reynolds, as the Program Head, Tonia’s job involves building the course curriculum, recruiting the “right” students – ones looking for a real career in automotive technology, and building relationships with the local Toyota dealers. On the Instructor side, her job is all hands on. “It’s easy to get your 10,000 steps done in a day when you’re instructing. The days are very full, and very busy.” Her plan is to recruit 16 students for the first cohort. 16 students in hands on training? Sounds like more than 10,000 steps and 10,000 turns of a wrench.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tonia emphasizes that automotive technology these days is much more than rotating tires and oil changes. Although students will learn those basic repair skills, their studies and practice will take them well into the realm of complex technology and computers. “Consider this,” Tonia says, “The check engine light on your car has been around since the 1970s. Back then, the light meant one of five things was going wrong. Today that same check engine light could mean one of 400 things is going wrong.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tonia is looking to the future. Not just to her move to Richmond where she says, “I’m looking forward to meeting the awesome people of Richmond and at Reynolds,” but to the future of automotive technology. Automobiles will only get more complex along with the challenges they will represent for those diagnosing and solving their problems. It’s like Chemical Engineering under the hood . . . just the kind of challenge that revs Tonia’s engine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tonia’s move to Virginia will be in two stages. In March she will come to campus for the first time and will stay for several weeks. She will complete her move in late June. She didn’t say so, but it’s easy to imagine her driving the backroads all the way from Portland to Richmond.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds is lucky to have found and hired this adventurous individual. Take the time to meet and greet her when you can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is Tonia with some of her students in the "classroom" in Portland.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijcmrHZ3dTMqNWroWOWILVgZ73CiVBT44wmVDD-zMO3-4CiBWVu2uxoQal-ganHrcSiIDgYpWXBvvoEf4vCseoWyYS2nCHjydN7QXCUb4KqeyIWouPiLDvD7isy7LadgBFAH4vU3_0G98fZ0RVsFaJAW0xZVXeDWJs1udOgBUERD7IHe7KK6UmEm2ifw=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijcmrHZ3dTMqNWroWOWILVgZ73CiVBT44wmVDD-zMO3-4CiBWVu2uxoQal-ganHrcSiIDgYpWXBvvoEf4vCseoWyYS2nCHjydN7QXCUb4KqeyIWouPiLDvD7isy7LadgBFAH4vU3_0G98fZ0RVsFaJAW0xZVXeDWJs1udOgBUERD7IHe7KK6UmEm2ifw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjOrsb_eQQ_uQGrx8EiEyoJcGQL5GoJIe6ObufRqzKKD_TYe2BqYodmJGn5w6tW3ZeqS2DCAPQaa0omoD0O82y7brb9rZaQxbZh-gnMz0FWXB9Vldsq4Ajzbbc3qqO5e9kd7FO2jWwGx4QJXtcnPIhMNG56G30b7hDeTZZGXODFhSzdRzCEAq7p8Lm-A=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjOrsb_eQQ_uQGrx8EiEyoJcGQL5GoJIe6ObufRqzKKD_TYe2BqYodmJGn5w6tW3ZeqS2DCAPQaa0omoD0O82y7brb9rZaQxbZh-gnMz0FWXB9Vldsq4Ajzbbc3qqO5e9kd7FO2jWwGx4QJXtcnPIhMNG56G30b7hDeTZZGXODFhSzdRzCEAq7p8Lm-A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB_qsbAox6I3ahs5Ao7UzsobgEJcHBwpTnSa_ETPWJqyGzWRF4lV7lExIRQqWjPSwD4M_ihIrt2SeeCgAwP-snUerTuQiA8Gmlt4kdvsNSID72jkCePQKkKG37QyEwQ2n-ofz_5W9pEtn-oeuyVtMHRjcFO0liZt1dYlEJdcvK1R9uNjEBk9B3ZdeMFA=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB_qsbAox6I3ahs5Ao7UzsobgEJcHBwpTnSa_ETPWJqyGzWRF4lV7lExIRQqWjPSwD4M_ihIrt2SeeCgAwP-snUerTuQiA8Gmlt4kdvsNSID72jkCePQKkKG37QyEwQ2n-ofz_5W9pEtn-oeuyVtMHRjcFO0liZt1dYlEJdcvK1R9uNjEBk9B3ZdeMFA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-70561620520535613502022-02-15T09:00:00.004-08:002022-04-29T07:02:25.973-07:00The Kitchens at Reynolds<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Pathway to The Kitchens </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Good things are cooking at The Kitchens these days. One of the best is a recruitment program to introduce high school students to culinary arts. Stacie Davis, Academic Dean, School of Business and Industrial Trades, and Chef Duane Brown recently sat down for a Q and A about the Reynolds Culinary Pathway program. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj56EAqp4JrSMoR3VP0pF7iRTDcgz7_hj-Vs3bFM_O2OSVStMwahgXjrD9i3Jzt1pKTNDsODZGcn19MFH6tYrqZXGqAWf8ikHm1bJLGe1uY8d3Ya_sjFFL6Qo9k_n7lkqPmTUGIeWEuKTOcX7bg8n1S3eCD3LBJ8MpcM_KX4zE9AKyhRGqpNidQW90k5g=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj56EAqp4JrSMoR3VP0pF7iRTDcgz7_hj-Vs3bFM_O2OSVStMwahgXjrD9i3Jzt1pKTNDsODZGcn19MFH6tYrqZXGqAWf8ikHm1bJLGe1uY8d3Ya_sjFFL6Qo9k_n7lkqPmTUGIeWEuKTOcX7bg8n1S3eCD3LBJ8MpcM_KX4zE9AKyhRGqpNidQW90k5g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: Please tell us about the program and how it got started. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>A: Stacie Davis:</i></b> After learning about the Culinary program here at Reynolds and the needs of the industry, I worked with our Culinary faculty to determine the desires of the program - growth, outreach, community engagement, and meeting industry needs. These desires aligned with Reynolds’ Strategic Plan and were the foundation to build the new Reynolds student experience through the Culinary Pathway. This pathway starts with our high school Dual Enrollment students and will end with Reynolds Completers that are ready to fill industry gaps immediately! I knew the perfect person for the position was Chef Duane Brown, so I reached out to him on LinkedIn and the rest is history. He has engaged five different high school culinary classes in just a month and has helped us to initiated dual enrollment agreements with county vocational centers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: How does it work: do the students visit The Kitchens for a tour? </b></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-tDhdCfF7zaToL5ElRsPHQH0tPK7R_xBTFrVCeTfIQckLPtNq_1vn3JXKVu5Zd23tidxKBIYHfLPRGFhNWUWbROHUu1WCln-c6npGzZ8U3QJJguXQgpUryiMBoHRd93PQyhCFumWABQgNr1RXDY8tvVXXVil2CBwGwKXzhNzxpPxtLkguC8aEMNelAQ=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-tDhdCfF7zaToL5ElRsPHQH0tPK7R_xBTFrVCeTfIQckLPtNq_1vn3JXKVu5Zd23tidxKBIYHfLPRGFhNWUWbROHUu1WCln-c6npGzZ8U3QJJguXQgpUryiMBoHRd93PQyhCFumWABQgNr1RXDY8tvVXXVil2CBwGwKXzhNzxpPxtLkguC8aEMNelAQ=s320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>A: Chef Duane Brown:</b></i> An admission counselor and I visit culinary and baking programs at their location, we provide an overview of Reynolds, The Kitchens, and culinary careers beyond the kitchen and we wrap up with a demo and tasting. The culinary students learn about emulsifiers and how to make aioli, the baking students learn how to make retail bakery items using basic ingredients and recipes </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: Is this a partnership with other outside groups?</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>A: SD:</i></b> No, we’re going to local high schools with culinary programs with the initial focus on programs that currently offer Reynolds Dual Enrollment classes and those that may be interested in starting DE with us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: What Reynolds staff are involved with the program?</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>A: DB:</b></i> Admissions and Adjunct Culinary Instructor</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: What are their roles? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>A: DB:</i></b> Admissions talks about degree options, financial aid and the application process. I talk about my career journey, emerging career opportunities and the importance of getting a formal education to be a competitive candidate for higher paying food jobs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: What schools are you visiting?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>A: DB:</i></b> Chesterfield Technical Center and Hermitage ACE Center. We have met with five high school culinary/baking classes in both Chesterfield and Henrico counties. We will continue to work with these high schools and others in our local area.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q: How is it working out? Will you continue?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>A: DB:</i></b> The students respond very well and ask questions about how to choose a college and how to compare college options. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">A: SD: </i>It's working out phenomenally! Not only will we continue, but we have the blueprint to reach potential Reynolds students, increase enrollment through these students using a clear and seamless pathway to create Reynolds completers with industry experience that are ready for the industry immediately, even before graduation! We are excited about the difference we can make in the culinary industry, Richmond community, and the lives of our students.</span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-65260193168750980192022-02-14T07:23:00.004-08:002022-04-29T07:00:16.597-07:00Student Services<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds Community College offers 24/7 mental telehealth for students!</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixUCwBNoF83HoL2HKPeFdRejBufHT8TLmuhaBSqRwtGlRX9jtlQsIZLog0xJQh1DWg02QwzjEG2jY4ivtb-33nfEV9QUcciunjyHp6L4M_OM9o7PvxdNIfBpbhVQKNLHmyFNW6i97C-IrrTdbs7jry1S4qThu-skCiVQDSgxc6jhnvzsDkzdpYB9WufQ=s4320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4320" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixUCwBNoF83HoL2HKPeFdRejBufHT8TLmuhaBSqRwtGlRX9jtlQsIZLog0xJQh1DWg02QwzjEG2jY4ivtb-33nfEV9QUcciunjyHp6L4M_OM9o7PvxdNIfBpbhVQKNLHmyFNW6i97C-IrrTdbs7jry1S4qThu-skCiVQDSgxc6jhnvzsDkzdpYB9WufQ=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reynolds Community College is excited to offer TimelyCare - a new telehealth program for students. The service will provide access to 24/7 mental virtual health care from anywhere in the United States, with no cost to visit!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether a student is anxious or overwhelmed, they will be able to talk to a licensed provider from a smartphone or any web-enabled device. Licensed providers are available to offer mental health support via phone or secure video visits. Here are the FAQs you as faculty and staff can share with students:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q. How can students access TimelyCare?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Students can go to timelycare.com/vccs to register with their name and school email address. Students can then have visits from any web-enabled device – smartphone, laptop, or desktop. TimelyCare is available from anywhere in the United States.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q. Who can use TimelyCare?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Any student at Reynolds Community College</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q. What services are available?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three services are available:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at anytime,<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scheduled Counseling: scheduled options to speak to a licensed counselor,<br /> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Group Sessions: Weekly Guided Meditation and Yoga Group Sessions, plus specialized discussions throughout the year.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Q. How much does a visit cost?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zip, zero, zilch! TimelyCare services are free to all Reynolds Community College students!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>TimelyCare is for Reynolds students. It's Free. Please share this news so your students can get the help they need when they need it.</b></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-16844068856829632572022-02-09T13:27:00.002-08:002022-04-29T07:00:34.083-07:00Employee Profile<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jessica Buchanan<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Assistant Director of Marketing</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidRZLcdwN_AMhsnPVY3I0BujiMe4PQNyHZQn_30nfQy526sUuYCPTR0qnbNa2b4r-BTScZtWS2Y-So70es5Jjr7GZU1btmaSU_o98lG6fH4v7aA18oL9lI1lkLYn2ZmFszcubAo_97uEqttJgme77BU3jET_JjUiGo1jO1l9NbdKjndBBcN0bKSPy9CQ=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidRZLcdwN_AMhsnPVY3I0BujiMe4PQNyHZQn_30nfQy526sUuYCPTR0qnbNa2b4r-BTScZtWS2Y-So70es5Jjr7GZU1btmaSU_o98lG6fH4v7aA18oL9lI1lkLYn2ZmFszcubAo_97uEqttJgme77BU3jET_JjUiGo1jO1l9NbdKjndBBcN0bKSPy9CQ=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where did you grow up and <br /></b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">what was it like?</b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I grew up in Stafford County, along the Potomac River, which at the time was very rural. On weekends I would play in the woods with my best friends Nutmeg the Great Dane, Bapbo the Basset Hound, Mickey the Chocolate Lab and Tucker the Orange Tabby Cat. My forest adventures would have made a grand children's book. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you didn't grow up in Richmond, what brought you to the area? And, what brought you to Reynolds? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am one of those people who keeps leaving Richmond and coming back. This is my third time living in the area. As for coming to Reynolds, it was just a great opportunity. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I worked for VCU Residential Life and Housing for seven years as their marketing person. There I discovered if you need people to do something, get their moms to tell them to do it. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Tell us about your work here at the college.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am the Assistant Director of Marketing, so anything dealing with branding, marketing, social media, signage, design might fall within my realm. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwdnNB_JgEDnVaJO_dU2x0Xr-E4_h8gCrncnZrWi91NGGU7ZvUQlObhpyaos-p2h2cfzlDAP_f9Oe0Vk4ijQ6sBdoa4f48EVG7KRM54l1-cHZRh1tUrGhEjmW-YlGTQ3O8GsSOz58f0xkwY1snFpANIA0gnZxiTclvaHY1s4qmCeYwC0HJLX9bEW2wJA=s3264" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwdnNB_JgEDnVaJO_dU2x0Xr-E4_h8gCrncnZrWi91NGGU7ZvUQlObhpyaos-p2h2cfzlDAP_f9Oe0Vk4ijQ6sBdoa4f48EVG7KRM54l1-cHZRh1tUrGhEjmW-YlGTQ3O8GsSOz58f0xkwY1snFpANIA0gnZxiTclvaHY1s4qmCeYwC0HJLX9bEW2wJA=s320" width="240" /></a></b>Were you always interested in design and marketing?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I was always an art kid, but not everyone appreciated my art. My little sister used to yell at me for ruining her coloring books when I would add on to the pictures and color outside of the lines. </i></span></p><p><b style="font-family: verdana;">What is your favorite activity outside of work?</b></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I love spending time with my dog Diablo Linus Bond. He came with the name Diablo, but he could not be more of an angel. However, he believes that snuggling is a full-contact sport.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>My favorite movie is The Birdcage. </i></span><i style="font-family: verdana;">I watch this movie with my moms and brother every year, and we dance around to, "We are family. I've got all my sisters with me," which plays in the movie's last scene. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpSeb5UyZKaaJAWSuA0Gnpk8WaxbgJfSJ7NRJB6pnlwI4mix3pBZ2kFbANgYEdrOTEd_S6Y2yn0kTzhJp6l9vsxaAaYUuwrtfr1oetPA7RJYToprJ2RFHlaqdW7AWb5OTAoQbRNUhOCRbw4_ecWbpInMA__l_HZ4tdhe3vXd2HuB9WuqAKriSE-1_H9Q=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpSeb5UyZKaaJAWSuA0Gnpk8WaxbgJfSJ7NRJB6pnlwI4mix3pBZ2kFbANgYEdrOTEd_S6Y2yn0kTzhJp6l9vsxaAaYUuwrtfr1oetPA7RJYToprJ2RFHlaqdW7AWb5OTAoQbRNUhOCRbw4_ecWbpInMA__l_HZ4tdhe3vXd2HuB9WuqAKriSE-1_H9Q=s320" width="240" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Besides the adult things like paying off the house, car and school loans, I would take a trip to Montana. I know it sounds weird, but I met a professional photographer once that worked for National Geographic, and he said that Montana was the most beautiful place he had ever been. Ever since then, I have been so intrigued, and I really want to go.</i></span></p><div><br /></div>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482515691195544753.post-16012962310959632202022-02-01T11:56:00.006-08:002022-04-29T07:01:58.271-07:00Culinary Medicine at The Kitchens<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are what you eat.</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRZPsvhT8D7v1ZIPQU2BeucyBo23tkL8j69MLdBo2A9YzxXQnqn0JnuxtPfFN2sAeHn__uy9rtJkw-MaxuQnOM7v7NbVtlF8LnOCy0dRMkLvrjj003fgflTPuoD-A6Hf0w2vIX62MXr75BMSv5ySyUh_IgUCr35N6YAJ-nIEPFxmSP8nHX73eZ9QNbmg=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRZPsvhT8D7v1ZIPQU2BeucyBo23tkL8j69MLdBo2A9YzxXQnqn0JnuxtPfFN2sAeHn__uy9rtJkw-MaxuQnOM7v7NbVtlF8LnOCy0dRMkLvrjj003fgflTPuoD-A6Hf0w2vIX62MXr75BMSv5ySyUh_IgUCr35N6YAJ-nIEPFxmSP8nHX73eZ9QNbmg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Imagine how different healthcare would be if your doctor pulled out a grocery list instead of a prescription pad. Or, if your doctor began your annual checkup with a discussion of food and its influence on your health and wellbeing rather than a blood pressure cuff.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This healthcare vision is coming into focus through an innovative collaboration between VCU’s Culinary Medicine program and The Kitchens at Reynolds. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the heart of the program is Assistant Professor at VCU Stony Point Women’s Health, Dr. Deborah Koehn.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcGZggSs9HdZ4SukSy3k6Yv9tDDEF62pOnQLlanJSVr4KcuaE7p7wUQUXQC-nyGs3OsJljMtHgqLoFK549pl-2oqCHwaktP0jbhFnZ6y3lvgsk18QhH1R9dKyNgOgKm5JPncpvIp4EGy9JT0CoJmLVzinJTdZzGcZfsw6qYScg6fjmBX1woENTipN-HQ=s341" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="248" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcGZggSs9HdZ4SukSy3k6Yv9tDDEF62pOnQLlanJSVr4KcuaE7p7wUQUXQC-nyGs3OsJljMtHgqLoFK549pl-2oqCHwaktP0jbhFnZ6y3lvgsk18QhH1R9dKyNgOgKm5JPncpvIp4EGy9JT0CoJmLVzinJTdZzGcZfsw6qYScg6fjmBX1woENTipN-HQ=w146-h200" width="146" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Koehn <i>(pictured left)</i> pioneered the program three years ago in makeshift kitchen facilities at VCU. Her goal was to improve physician nutrition competency. “Many diseases, Dr. Koehn says, “can actually be prevented through lifestyle changes; however, nutrition education in medical school is minimal and our young providers are graduating with very little education to deal with the onslaught of this rising pandemic of chronic disease.” </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“However, just knowing about nutrition is not the same thing as learning to talk about food with your patients,” Koehn continues, “so the goal from the beginning was to develop an interdisciplinary program where we have the three components of good health at the table: the physician, the dietician, and the chef. The physician may understand the chronic disease, but the dietician can help more with the counseling techniques and behavior modifications as well as guide the nutrition goals, and the chef can help to make the food delicious.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The partnership is a perfect match for both VCU and Reynolds. During the four week class, Tuesdays are “Journal Club” where students review literature related to the topic of the week; Thursdays are for shopping where the students visit a different grocery store each week and discuss pricing, food content, and options. Fridays, when Reynolds culinary students are away from The Kitchens, the VCU students take over the ovens, the stove tops, and the counters, and learn about food preparation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1-jYqybtqeMHcUgUVUbl3mRuwIGhop-6M2NyxNV0sFwg0lRzPoqEbC7yXLhXRZcTCYIJc6GjDd2UZmVwN-jxQH6mrE0lf0zZ5ZaBOLEdbksg0T9QvfGCd7XNqVIcCJ-jECFcXQFddQk-q9nBuHedxKv3GWbZbb9sZ6dqwUzajqkV5DCp4PV2ynPi5dg=s320" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1-jYqybtqeMHcUgUVUbl3mRuwIGhop-6M2NyxNV0sFwg0lRzPoqEbC7yXLhXRZcTCYIJc6GjDd2UZmVwN-jxQH6mrE0lf0zZ5ZaBOLEdbksg0T9QvfGCd7XNqVIcCJ-jECFcXQFddQk-q9nBuHedxKv3GWbZbb9sZ6dqwUzajqkV5DCp4PV2ynPi5dg=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">“For some students, the class is the first time they learn to hold knife and cut a vegetable for others,” says Koehn. “This is an extension of a culinary journey they have already begun. By practicing the basic cooking skills in the kitchen, they can better help guide their patients as to how to prepare foods, how to modify recipes in the hopes that we can change health one life at a time.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I'm delighted to have been chosen to assist with the class,” says Reynolds Culinary Arts student and Culinary Medicine intern, Anya Glessman. The program is also a perfect match for her: “I'm learning about culinary nutrition and assisting with a topic of my interest.” Chef Jesse Miller was aware that she wanted to pursue a career in this field, so when conversations began about bringing the Culinary Medicine program to The Kitchens, he reached out to her with the opportunity to assist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAgVGgcAw5qb30ffjm-e95H1vRlaThDOtqQ4X1baPqo83H4tAYydMgsyz-6dDfKYWQIJnOdbCF5AjrN0qA4C5FFEfaTq_1yXR40q-2S8rzigJEygFvVVDuwPW-uArmioR_msu4MNWPLq-GAM-y6fRS5qKKuLpTj3AHR_CcfodAMOFoT7V5uYRjC1_Eng=s320" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAgVGgcAw5qb30ffjm-e95H1vRlaThDOtqQ4X1baPqo83H4tAYydMgsyz-6dDfKYWQIJnOdbCF5AjrN0qA4C5FFEfaTq_1yXR40q-2S8rzigJEygFvVVDuwPW-uArmioR_msu4MNWPLq-GAM-y6fRS5qKKuLpTj3AHR_CcfodAMOFoT7V5uYRjC1_Eng=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leading the Friday sessions at The Kitchens is Chef Jayson Leek, Chef at The Front Porch Café. “At the beginning of the class, says Anya Glessman, “Chef Leek gives a lecture on the class focus and does a demo on a task like how to chop garlic, cut an onion, or how to use different kinds of equipment like a food processor or a spice grinder. The students who are taking the class all seem very passionate to learn about the culinary side of dietetics and nutrition.”</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">New sessions of the program are coming to The Kitchens this spring, and Chef Leek and Anya Glessman will again be there to assist Dr. Koehn and her students as they work toward changing health one life at a time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Watch this short video taken during a class session. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KMRS_eee_qg" width="320" youtube-src-id="KMRS_eee_qg"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The first mention of the phrase "you are what you eat" came from the 1826 work Physiologie du Gout, ou Medetations de Gastronomie Transcendante, in which French author Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote: “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.”</i></span></p><p> </p>Reynolds Community Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444114400886054088noreply@blogger.com